In a meeting with regional leaders, the hydrocarbons sector reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and the progress of communities

• More than 120 officials, including mayors and governors from oil and gas producing regions, participated in a strengthening day for institutional management.
• The event also included the attendance of national government entities responsible for public policy in the mining-energy sector and other strategic areas for regional development.
• Officials, national authorities, and industry agreed to maintain a joint work agenda that allows for combined efforts to execute high-impact social programs.

During the ‘Meeting of Regional Officials: Governance, Sustainable Development, and Energy Transition in the Hydrocarbons Sector’, which, under the leadership of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and in coordination with other associations in the hydrocarbons sector and national government entities, brought together more than 120 regional officials from producing municipalities and departments, the Colombian Association of Oil and Gas (ACP) highlighted the firm interest and commitment of this industry to work collaboratively with regional and national authorities to promote impactful programs that benefit communities across the country.

At the event, held on March 5 and 6, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, DNP, Ministry of Finance, Agency for Territorial Renewal, Ministry of Labor, Public Employment Service Unit, Superintendency of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defense, Colombian Geological Service, and operating companies affiliated with the ACP also participated, fostering a participatory and constructive dialogue to identify collaboration opportunities and provide inputs and tools that contribute to the construction of territorial development plans.

“In this industry, we recognize the importance of effective coordination with both national and regional and local authorities to comprehensively address the current and future challenges in overcoming poverty, productive transformation, and the path towards a fair energy transition. It is in this synergy where initiatives that generate a real impact on the quality of life of communities are born, promoting economic growth, job creation, and social well-being, and the hydrocarbons and liquid fuels sector is committed to this,” stated Frank Pearl, president of the ACP.

Pearl added that the commitment of the oil and gas sector goes beyond providing the energy that Colombians require daily, as it also contributes to and fosters inclusive and sustainable development in the regions, among other contributions, for example, with social investment aimed primarily at strengthening infrastructure, coverage of basic services, education, health, social fabric, and economic growth.

In this sense, over the last 10 years, companies in the industry have invested in social programs an average of more than $450 billion annually; of this investment, 80% corresponds to voluntary investment, which means that for every 1,000 pesos invested in social management, 200 pesos correspond to investment originating from contractual commitments and the remaining 800 pesos correspond to voluntary investment.

In addition to social investment, during the meeting, macroeconomic perspectives of the Colombian economy and the hydrocarbons sector were also presented within the framework of a just energy transition; royalties as an opportunity for strategic investments; employability and economic development in the hydrocarbons sector; social dialogue, coexistence, and security in the hydrocarbons sector; and a just energy transition alongside the territories, among other topics. It was agreed to maintain a joint work agenda for follow-up and attention to the main needs of the regions.

The ACP thanks the participation and commitment demonstrated by all attendees at the meeting and reiterates its willingness to continue collaborating closely with local authorities, the national government, and other productive sectors to achieve common goals of sustainable development and prosperity for all Colombian communities.