ALACERO SUMMIT 2021 ANALYZES THE CHALLENGES OF THE STEEL SECTOR IN LATIN AMERICA

Alacero, the Latin American Steel Association, has just held the ‘Alacero Summit 2021’ from 17 to 18 November, considered one of the most important meetings of the entire industrial sector. This congress ended with a clear message to all the members of the value chain of the metal-mechanic industry so that the debates become facts and actions, with common objectives and goals.

This edition of the Alacero Summit 2021 was held in virtual format and focused on ‘The future of the industry in a sustainable world’ in line with one of the next challenges to be faced by the value chain of the steel sector in Latin America: to lead the transition to an increasingly environmentally friendly industry.

The congress has counted with the participation of speakers of the highest level and experts from the region and the world who have given their vision on the present and the next challenges and opportunities for the steel sector to continue working to be an innovative industry, responsible with the care of the environment and generator of quality employment and integral development for their communities throughout the region.

Among them, Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Xavier Sala-Martin, Professor of Economics at Columbia University and author of the Global Competitiveness Index; Moises Naim, Director of Foreign Policy (1996 – 2010) and author of the best-seller “The End of Power”; and Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (2005 – 2020) and Managing Director of Allen & Co LLC.

In addition, Susan Segal, CEO Council of Americas, analyzed the political, social and economic outlook for Latin America, and Marcelo Spinelli, VP of Vale, addressed the Sustainability of the Value Chain.

In this regard, Alejandro Wagner, CEO of Alacero, added that “the steel sector has always been a protagonist of the great changes in the world. We are one of the main engines of the industry, we drive the generation of more than 1,200,000 quality jobs in every corner of Latin America and we contribute to the social, economic and technological development of local communities, countries and the region as a whole. This ability to lead change is also present in the great challenges of the future. As announced in the recent report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, environmental sustainability is at a turning point, and the steel industry has already started the path to be at the forefront. We must accelerate the debates and discussions so that those of us who are part of this sector are the ones who guide and lead this new global challenge”.

The event was held semi-attendance and was attended by more than 5,000 people from the metalworking industry sector, professionals, journalists, young people, students and members of the steel industry community who were able to discuss the upcoming challenges of the sector, learn about the latest global trends and the outlook of the countries in the Latin American region.

Through Alacero, the Latin American steel industry seeks to promote the values of regional integration, technological innovation, excellence in human resources, corporate responsibility and socio-environmental sustainability. Alacero’s member companies operate in 20 countries, and their production, close to 70 million tons per year, represents 95% of the steel manufactured in Latin America.