AL-INVEST Verde Annual Event #CONEXIÓNVerde+ Strengthening Synergies and Showcasing the Role of Intellectual Property
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in collaboration with sequa, the Ibero-American Foundation for Public Administration and Policy (FIAP), and the International Italo-Latin American Organisation (IILA), hosted the annual event of the AL-INVEST Verde programme, #CONEXIÓNVerde+, in Medellín, Colombia from 6-11 October.
The EU’s Global Gateway programme AL-INVEST Verde promotes sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America through three Components: Component 1 implemented by sequa for the promotion of innovation and the green transition of SMEs; Component 2 implemented by FIAP and IILA for the provision of technical assistance to the public sector; and Component 3 implemented by the EUIPO to enhance the use of intellectual property (IP) rights for sustainable development.
#CONEXIÓNVerde+ was designed to enhance synergies between all programme components, provide a networking platform to foster dialogue on how IPRs can contribute to sustainability, competitiveness, and the green transition. Particular attention was given to the value of geographical indications (GIs) and other IP rights for small producers and SMEs.
A joint panel coordinated by all three programme components addressed the role of women and young leaders in sustainable value chains:
- Panel: Sustainable roots: the voice of the protagonists
Moderated by a representative of UN Women Colombia, the session gave the floor to women producers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across Latin America. Panellists included representatives from coffee and cocoa producers, academia, and artisan communities, highlighting inspiring experiences from Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Colombia. Among the speakers were Gladys Antonieta Rojas de Arias, winner of the Ingenias LATAM 2025 award for Paraguay, and representatives of Galápagos coffee and Cauca silk who received mentoring under the AL-INVmentor programme.
In addition, the EUIPO, as implementing agency of AL-INVEST Verde IPR (Component 3), led two high-level panels on intellectual property:
- Panel 1: Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin
Explored key success factors and their contribution to sustainability and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), highlighting traceability, territorial governance, and sustainable practices with examples from Latin America and the EU with participants from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Perú.
- Panel 2: Intellectual Property and Sustainability
Showcased the strategic value of GIs and other IP tools for producers, with interventions from IP offices of the region, valuable partners of the EUIPO in advancing IP protection in Latin-America: INAPI Chile, SIC Colombia, INDECOPI Perú and SENADI Ecuador, as well as a representative of Artesanías de Colombia.
The agenda also included sessions on the circular economy in relation to innovation and sustainability, as well as testimonies from SMEs on the opportunities and challenges of implementing green practices. The event closed with a perspective from the European Commission (DG INTPA) on the broader impact of the AL-INVEST Verde programme and future cooperation opportunities in the region.
By linking IP to sustainability and trade, the event contributed directly to key objectives of the AL-INVEST Verde IPR project: improving the capacities of SMEs, academia, and productive sectors to manage IPRs and gain value from innovation. The EUIPO will continue to organise similar activities in the region, building on its broader work in IP cooperation and enforcement. Learn more about EUIPO’s international cooperation activities here.