The United States and Argentina held the inaugural annual U.S.-Argentina Energy Security Dialogue (ESD) on August 23, 2024, at the Palacio San Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez opened the ESD alongside Secretary of International Economic Relations Ambassador Marcelo Cima, Secretary of Energy Eduardo Rodriguez Chirillo, and Secretary of Mining Luis Lucero. The ESD builds on a history of close U.S.-Argentine diplomatic and technical cooperation and will serve as a forum to advance cooperative solutions to strengthen energy security, accelerate the clean energy transition, and expand critical mineral and clean energy supply chains.
The two delegations discussed opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment, including in key sectors where Argentina is poised to play a significant role in building secure supply chains for the critical minerals that drive the energy transition. The delegations also further advanced the Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Cooperation on Critical Minerals, signed by Under Secretary Fernandez and Foreign Minister Diana Mondino on August 22. The MOU will provide opportunities for increased investment through Argentina’s membership in the Minerals Security Partnership Forum.
The United States and Argentina shared perspectives on electricity market reform. They also discussed ongoing and future technical assistance programming, including through the Department of State’s Power Sector Program and Energy and Mineral Governance Program, and the Department of Energy’s Net Zero World initiative. Under Secretary Fernandez also announced the launch of a new Clean Energy Transition Accelerator (CETA) project, through which the United States will provide the government of Argentina $500,000 in technical assistance to help develop national strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate Argentina’s clean energy transition.
Both sides agreed on the great value of this Energy Security Dialogue and look forward to convening again at a senior level in 2025.
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