Public-Private Collaboration Accelerates in Latin America
The relationship between public institutions and private companies is undergoing a significant transformation across Latin America, particularly in Brazil. José Manuel Entrecanales, Chairman and CEO of ACCIONA, highlighted this shift during the Climatenomics: The Investment Momentum forum, a pre-COP30 event held in São Paulo. Speaking to government leaders, business representatives, and sustainability experts, he noted that the convergence between public and private sectors is advancing at an unprecedented pace, accelerating progress toward sustainable infrastructure and climate-aligned development.
“Across Brazil and much of Latin America, Public-Private Partnerships are becoming the norm — the gap between the private and public sectors is narrowing in a way I’ve never seen before,” Entrecanales stated, emphasizing the importance of collaborative frameworks for delivering large-scale projects that serve societal needs.
The event was hosted at the site of the future Santa Marina Station on São Paulo’s Line 6-Orange metro, one of the most significant infrastructure projects currently under construction in Latin America and being developed by ACCIONA.
Smart Infrastructure as a Pathway to Sustainable Progress
During his remarks, Entrecanales outlined ACCIONA’s strategic philosophy: the development of “smart infrastructure.” He described this concept as an operating model that prioritizes sustainability, resilience, adaptability, and long-term social value. Smart infrastructure, he explained, is not merely defined by technical sophistication. Rather, it is characterized by its capacity to deliver tangible improvements to the lives of citizens and communities.
“We aim to create a positive impact wherever we operate — guided by a concept that defines our industry: smart infrastructure,” he said. “‘Smart’ serves as a standard and a mechanism for building sustainable, mitigating, adaptive, resilient, and transformative infrastructure — infrastructure that delivers real value to the societies it serves.”
Entrecanales stressed that such infrastructure cannot be realized without strong alignment between public objectives and private-sector capabilities. Public institutions play a central role in defining goals, social priorities, and regulatory frameworks, while private companies contribute technical expertise, project management, financing capacity, and innovative solutions.
The Role of COP30 and Investment Mobilization
A central theme of the discussion was the upcoming COP30 climate summit, to be hosted in Brazil. Entrecanales pointed out that COP30 represents a milestone opportunity for countries, investors, and civil society to establish new models that accelerate climate transition efforts. One of the primary objectives, he stated, must be creating the conditions to attract private capital into infrastructure projects that deliver sustainable outcomes.
“It’s about putting the right framework in place — and that’s what COP30 is all about,” he said. “One of its main objectives is to create the conditions needed to attract private capital to meet public needs. We’re in that process, and I’m very optimistic.”
The ability to mobilize private financing is increasingly viewed as essential for meeting national and regional climate goals. Public resources alone are insufficient to build the large-scale networks, transport systems, renewable power installations, and water infrastructure required to support both environmental targets and social development.
Leaders and Institutions Joining Forces
The event brought together influential figures from government, business, climate finance, and international sustainability organizations. Participants included:
- Felicio Ramuth, Vice-Governor of the State of São Paulo
- Izabella Teixeira, former Environment Minister of Brazil and Co-Chair of the UN Environment International Resource Panel
- Luciana Costa, Director of Infrastructure, Energy Transition and Climate Change at BNDES
- María Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition
- Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- Leah Seligmann, CEO of The B Team
Climatenomics: The Investment Momentum was organized by ACCIONA in partnership with The B Team, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC). The forum underscored the growing recognition that accelerating climate action requires cross-sector collaboration and shared accountability.
ACCIONA’s Growth and Commitment in Brazil
ACCIONA has maintained a strong presence in Brazil for nearly three decades, delivering major infrastructure projects across various regions. Its current flagship initiative is São Paulo’s Line 6-Orange metro, the largest ongoing urban mobility project in Latin America. Beyond its scale and engineering complexity, the project has become a hallmark of ACCIONA’s regenerative approach. It has already created more than 11,000 direct jobs, while future operation is expected to benefit over 630,000 passengers daily by improving travel efficiency, reducing traffic congestion, and lowering emissions.
In addition to transport infrastructure, ACCIONA is advancing water and sanitation initiatives in partnership with regional providers, including Sanepar in Paraná and CESAN in Espírito Santo. These projects support expanded access to essential public services and align with national objectives for universal sanitation coverage.
ACCIONA has also contributed to transformative cultural and industrial developments in Brazil, including the construction of Terminal 2 at the Port of Açu in Rio de Janeiro and the conversion of São Paulo’s historic Júlio Prestes train station into an internationally recognized concert venue.
A Model for Sustainable Development
The momentum described by Entrecanales suggests that Brazil and neighboring countries are entering a new phase in infrastructure delivery — one defined by cooperation rather than separation between public planning and private execution. With COP30 on the horizon and climate investments accelerating globally, the alignment of interests across sectors may prove decisive in shaping the region’s long-term social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
The narrowing divide between public and private institutions, as highlighted at Climatenomics, signals more than a shift in funding models. It represents the emergence of a shared vision for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development — a vision increasingly reflected in the work underway across Brazil.
