Colombia at a Crossroads: Transformation or Stagnation
The 27th Andesco Congress 2025 closed with urgent calls for a digital, energy, and territorial transformation with a sustainable focus.
On its final day, representatives from government, business, academia, and local leadership agreed that Colombia’s sustainable development depends on technical decisions, political will, and institutional cooperation.
🔌 Digital Connectivity Goals
Deputy Minister Luis Eduardo Aguiar presented key results from the Digital Expansion Plan:
130,000 households connected
13,600 schools integrated
767 km of fiber-optic cable deployed
$2.8 trillion COP invested
Focus on underserved regions: Pacific, Amazon, La Guajira
He also announced a partnership with the European Union to explore satellite solutions for broader coverage and better service quality.
🧠 Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, and Public Services
Nicolás Uribe warned: 83% of workers already use AI without clear organizational guidelines.
Ramón Hemer (Triple A) showcased biogas projects from landfill gases.
Nicolás Monteverde (Aguas de Valencia) emphasized the success of a water loss reduction plan to improve financial sustainability.
📉 Digital Poverty, Reform, and Regional Disconnect
Viviana Vanegas (DNP): Preliminary Digital Poverty Index at 37%. She proposed reforming the ICT Fund.
Claudia Bustamante (CRC): Launched Simplemente CRC to simplify regulations.
Sergio Sotomayor (ANE): Proposed a secondary spectrum market in underserved areas.
Local mayors expressed frustration with the central government’s lack of support.
📰 Media Panel: Press Freedom Under Pressure
Media leaders expressed growing concern:
Érika Fontalvo: “We are afraid. There are no guarantees.”
Luz María Sierra: “Social media could destroy democracy.”
Francisco Miranda: “Citizens must be critical curators of their information.”
Joan Avellaneda: “We are being persecuted.”
🗳️ Presidential Debate: Technical Solutions for Complex Challenges
Seven presidential hopefuls outlined proposals:
Paloma Valencia: Clear rules and savings incentives.
Enrique Peñalosa: Lower costs, better service.
Héctor Olimpo: Decentralization to accelerate the energy transition.
Juan Daniel Oviedo: Rural access to water and gas.
Felipe Córdoba: “No investment without security.”
Mauricio Lizcano: “Unite or fall.”
🏆 The Congress concluded with the Andesco Sustainability Awards, recognizing best practices in economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
🎧 Listen to the full analysis on El Podcast de Ricardo Galán
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