The first conference took place a decade ago in Timor-Leste.
The conference begins a day following the III Energy Ministers Meeting, where the need to strengthen energy cooperation among the nine member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) was emphasized.
The second Energy Conference aims to be “a moment of sharing the latest developments and flagship projects of energy transitions of each Member State,” and seeks to “promote new partnerships and investment and financing opportunities,” under the theme “Driving a Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Energy Transition for the CPLP.”
Organized by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, which holds the current presidency of the CPLP, the conference will be coordinated by the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER) and the Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese Official Language Countries (RELOP), with support from the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Portugal.
Besides ministers and other representatives from CPLP member states, the conference features participation from representatives of COP 30 and Mission 300, a significant funding vehicle for projects in the sector for the coming years, among other industry players.
The president of ALER advocates that the CPLP should “act as a strategic bloc” and position itself as “an alternative” in the global energy sector, a vision that should inform the work of the conference running until Wednesday.
In remarks last week, Mayra Pereira stated the current moment is unique for the Lusophone community to leverage its advantages and strengthen cooperation and partnerships among member states and entrepreneurs in the energy sector, paving the way for the energy transition, and “acting as a strategic bloc” in international summits and forums.
This goal requires economic diplomacy, thematic alliances, and “a common narrative that translates priorities into concrete proposals,” positioning the CPLP “as one of the alternatives” in the world in energy terms, she asserted.
“We have a significant advantage. Africa is undoubtedly a continent we must see as an opportunity, and most CPLP countries are in Africa,” she highlighted, adding that “Brazil is positioned as one of the major ‘players’ of the G20 with a strategic stance that could open significant doors.”
Additionally, this year marks COP 30, held in Portuguese in Brazil, and Angola holds the presidency of the African Union, the largest regional organization, besides noting that “a financial player has exited Africa,” indirectly referring to the United States under Donald Trump’s new policy, and “new ones may enter.”
“Currently, there’s a potential for CPLP countries to come together to attract funding collectively” and assume “a more unified stance when attending international forums,” she reiterated.
In the business arena, the ALER president sees “a huge potential for joint ventures, consortia, joint business missions, and investments in renewable energy projects in the brother countries of the CPLP where skills could be transferred.”
The event will discuss public policies for energy transition, energy planning, fuel diversification, future electric systems, decarbonization and green economy, energy compacts, financing, and investments in the sector, according to a CPLP statement.
