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The experience of RedCLARA, the BELLA II project, and its relevance in the Digital Alliance between the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was highlighted in an online event organized by the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) and the EU-LAC RESINFRA Network, on 25-26 July.

The project “Towards a new EU-LAC partnership in Research Infrastructures (EU-LAC ResInfra)” pursues the construction of a bi-regional collaboration base on national and regional research infrastructures. The event aimed to valorize previous collaboration experience and promote the access and shared use of instruments, methods, and high-level scientific data.

The meeting was attended by researchers from centers and universities, managers of infrastructures, and representatives of Innovation Agencies.

Mark Urban, director of international cooperation, academic relations, and communications of RedCLARA, highlighted how the organization contributes to the development of science, education, technology, and innovation in LAC through the articulation, connection, and strengthening of its national research and education networks (NRENs).

He also emphasized the opportunities of the BELLA II project, which aims to reduce the digital divide and support the development of the necessary infrastructure to consolidate and expand a digital ecosystem, providing secure, high-capacity, and high-quality connectivity in the region. BELLA II is one of the pillars of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance, alongside the EU Earth Observation programme, Copernicus, the investment accelerator, and the strategic dialogues.

The potential of the project and the leadership of RedCLARA and the BELLA Project were also highlighted by other panelists at the meeting, agreeing on its importance to strengthen research infrastructures and to drive people-centered digital transformation.