Curitiba - Brazil, February 2025
Dear representatives of national and subnational governments, congressmen, diplomats, members of international technical cooperation, representatives of universities and businessmen of the AMERICAS:
We are pleased to greet you and address you, on behalf of the International Development Cooperation Agency – AGENCIA CONTINENTAL, an international and legally established entity, with presence in the main cities and countries of the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia, which through its representatives and liaisons, have the objective of promoting and strengthening ties of cooperation, integration, technical assistance and exchange of technologies and successful experiences, with National, Intermediate and Local Governments, International Organizations, the Academic Sector and the Business Sector.
Likewise, through this letter, we extend our invitation to participate in the "International Mission of high training and exchange of successful experiences - Curitiba 2025", which will allow the strengthening and execution of your government plans, management of cooperation and international technical assistance for the urban and social development of the territories, the improvement of the quality of life of our citizens and the success of public and private projects in our region.
I. GENERAL PROPOSAL
The high training program that our entity proposes to your cities and countries, has as its main purpose, the advice and implementation of your government programs in an efficient and successful manner, seeking to develop innovative solutions for the construction of sustainable, intelligent and modern territories, having as a base and international reference, the work model and high-level content that we will develop in the city of Curitiba - Brazil.
It is important to mention that this development model is the product of the vision of the future, transfer of knowledge, union of forces and strategic alliances between the sectors of society (public, private and civil society), of many years of work in planning, design, implementation and survey of results together with its population, thus generating a civic culture, sense of belonging and love for its region and country.
II. PRESENTATION
In that sense, on behalf of the Agency for International Cooperation for Development - CONTINENTAL AGENCY and the cooperating entities in Brazil, we invite your authorities to participate in our "International High Training Mission on Sustainable Urban Planning, Efficient Public Transport, Environment and Construction of Intelligent, Innovative and Inclusive Territories, knowing in practice the successful experiences of the city of Curitiba - Brazil". Training event and exchange of good development practices with great potential for replicability.
The High Training Mission will take place on April 02, 03 and 04, 2025, in the city of Curitiba - State of Paraná - Brazil. We recommend that participants schedule their arrival on Tuesday, April 1 and their return to their countries of origin on Saturday, April 05.
The CONTINENTAL AGENCY is promoting this important space of high international training, with the aim of allowing to know in a theoretical and practical way the main urban and social transformation projects, which allowed the consolidation of Curitiba, in a modern, innovative, sustainable and inclusive city, based on the projection of the future, with comprehensive planning systems, revolutionizing and optimizing public transport, road management and land use, citizen security and crime prevention, environmental programs-prioritization of green spaces, adopting intelligent technologies and digitization in their processes, thus becoming a global reference and a model of sustainable and intelligent city.
That is why we present the city of Curitiba, capital of the State of Paraná, with approximately 2 million inhabitants. It is the city with the highest quality of life in Brazil and a pioneer worldwide in implementing a sustainable urban and public transport system, a model worthy of admiration, which has been replicated by several cities and countries, which does not cease to receive important international recognitions and distinctions. The most recent was 2024, when it was awarded as the smart city of 2023 at the Smart City Expo Wolrd Congress, an event organized by Fira Barcelona, where its intelligent urban planning, its socioeconomic growth and environmental sustainability was highlighted and valued through a human-centered approach.
But what makes Curitiba so special? The truth is difficult to describe the success factor or project that detonated its evolution of the city, but we must consider the combination of policies, actions and very well planned future projects, which we detail below:
Curitiba: Sustainable and Intelligent City Model
This city in southern Brazil has a rich history oriented to sustainability. It is well known for its innovative public transport system, as well as for an internalized environmental approach in its citizens, something that demanded a sustained process of education. But he also knew how to incorporate new technological tools oriented to citizen security, the digitization and accessibility of its inhabitants, among other outstanding aspects.
- Urban Mobility Plan: BRT and bicycle promotion
One of the fundamental pillars of Curitiba's transformation is its particular integrated public transport system, recognized worldwide as the first city in the world to implement the "Bus Rapid Transit" (BRT). This efficient and low-cost system has exclusive lanes for articulated and bi-articulated buses (72 km. of track), with modern stations for the different types of buses that feed and integrate the system and with advanced technology that allows real-time monitoring of the passenger flow and the optimization of the routes. And thanks to this innovative mobility solution, the city has managed to significantly reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions with its fleets of electric and hybrid buses, thus improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.
It also has more than 220 kilometers of lanes for cyclists, which encourages about 70% of its citizens to move by bicycle, with the majority of the proportion of the population that does not depend on private vehicles.
- Parks and green spaces
Curitiba has invested in the creation of parks and green spaces, which has reduced pollution, floods and improved air quality, becoming a healthier city. These spaces are also used to promote culture, art, sport and leisure among the population. It is estimated that the city has 60 m2 of green areas per person, thanks to a network of 30 parks and 15 forests throughout the municipality. Overcoming the recommendation of the World Health Organization, which defines a minimum of 12 m2 of green areas per person in cities.
- Education and training programs, with an environmental focus
Curitiba has implemented environmental education, training and awareness programs for the population, thus generating a healthy society and city, which has allowed a solid commitment to recycling and waste management, successfully implementing a comprehensive waste separation system at source, which involves citizens in the classification of recyclable materials. In addition, Curitiba has an extensive network of recycling stations and recycler cooperatives who are responsible for the collection and processing of recovered materials. This approach has allowed Curitiba to reach high recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste that reaches landfills, thus promoting environmental sustainability, socio-economic development and the circular economy.
- Advanced technology for citizen security and digitization
The city has been investing in advanced technology to improve the quality of life of its citizens, from video surveillance cameras, to sensors and apps, which are common in city management. A system of video surveillance cameras strategically distributed throughout the city was installed, for constant monitoring of public spaces and detection of risk situations. They are connected to a monitoring and control center, which uses advanced video analysis algorithms to identify suspicious behaviors or dangerous situations. This proactive approach to security has allowed Curitiba to prevent and respond more efficiently to criminal incidents and problems in the city, creating a safer environment for residents and visitors. It also has smart sensors at traffic lights, and a mobile application that provides information on public transport and urban planning in the city.
The transition to digital citizenship is encoured with a digital platform called "Curitiba Inteligente", which allows citizens to carry out procedures, online payments and applications more quickly and efficiently, as well as access city services and resources. In summary, Curitiba has established itself as a model to follow for other cities in the world, which seek to develop in an equitable and sustainable way, demonstrating that the combination of innovation, citizen participation and a sustained environmental strategy are also possible to achieve in Latin America.
III. TARGET AUDIENCE
The international mission is organized and directed for authorities of the National Government and Subnational Governments: Congressmen, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Governors, Mayors, Councilors, Secretaries of Office and Directors, Diplomats, Public and private Universities, Entrepreneurs and members of the International Technical Cooperation, interested in the theme to be developed in the city of Curitiba.
It is worth mentioning that we will have a fairly exclusive and small Mission, so we recommend that those interested begin the process of applying and registering their authorities as soon as possible.
IV. METHODOLOGY
It will be an itinerant space for high training and exchange of successful experiences in the theme that the Mission will address in its three days, both in theory (expert conferences) and in practice (specialized technical visits and guided by the host entities) to the projects and topics that we detail below:
V. CONTENT - INTERNATIONAL MISSION
* Building smart and sustainable cities: knowing in practice the experience and the development model of Curitiba - Brazil.
* Urban planning systems with social innovation, processes of transformation of the territory and beautification of green areas of the city, with environmental sustainability standards.
* Urban Acupunctures: revitalization and renewal projects of public space.
* Think and Plan the city as a Network.
* GeoCuritiba: map and territorial management platform with innovation: technology used by NASA and the United States Armed Forces.
* Integrated mass transport systems (SIT), road management and land use in cities.
* Design, structuring, financing, implementation, operation and maintenance of efficient integrated mass transport systems.
* Social management models, citizen culture, security, awareness and socialization for urban and mobility projects in the territories.
* Knowing in practice the SIT of Curitiba and its Metropolitan Region (first city in the world to implement the BRT): interconnection axes and feeders with exclusive lanes, modern stations for the different types of buses that feed and integrate the system (buses: articulated, bi-articulated, fast, direct, inter-neighborrhood, light, feeders, circular center, radial, and services: interhospital, school, tourist and executive airport buses).
* Garbage Recycling Systems, transformation and marketing of recycled material.
* Design, planning, financing and execution of sustainable environmental projects.
* Curitiba waste recycling program: Lixo que Não é Lixo (garbage that is not garbage).
* Creation and implementation of selective recycling programs at origin and solid waste management for cities and metropolitan areas.
* Knowing the integral solid waste management model of the city of Curitiba.
* Public-Private Partnerships for the success of projects in the regions and countries: knowing the Smart Cities Institute, a reference in the process of research, integration, development and implementation of efficient solutions for the public management of Curitiba (recognized as the smart city worldwide in 2024).
* Curitiba Intelligent Tourist Destination Project: building an ecosystem with the public, private, academic and community sectors.
* Science, technology, research and development: getting to know the Curitiba Innovation Agency.
* Protocol visit and dialogue with the authorities and/or representatives to visit.
* Specialized technical visits to all the projects mentioned.
VI. APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS
To start the registration process, you must complete and send us the Application-Registration Form, attached to this document, to the following emails or request it to the following e-mails:
* E-mail: presidencia@agenciacontinental.org / misiones@agenciacontinental.org
Deadline for applications and/or applications:
* Receipt of Registration Forms: March 15.
* Final confirmation and participant accreditations: March 29.
* Incomplete files will be taken into account.
VII. CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION
It will be officially communicated to the invited authorities and institutions that apply, meet the application requirements (profiles and professional experience) and are duly selected and / or confirmed by the Organizing Committee within the stipulated times.
Likewise, the people and/or authorities confirmed to participate in the International Mission, must send us their travel itinerary to the city of Curitiba (round trip) duly purchased and other requested requirements.
VIII. VISA PROCEDURE
For people who do not have an entry visa to Brazil, we inform you that the procedure is personal, non-transferable and independent in each case. The organizers, upon payment or confirmation of your registration, will send each participant a VIP Invitation Letter, acceptance of vacancy and confirmation of participation in the Mission, to be presented to the Brazilian consulate in their corresponding country, with the other requirements they require for said procedure. We recommend carrying out the visa procedures with sufficient advance time. This invitation does not apply to Visa processing.
IX. IMMIGRATION AND COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS - BRAZIL
* Have the Visa (if applicable) and the valid passport or identity card: with a minimum validity of 06 months for your entry into Brazilian territory.
* There are currently no sanitary restrictions on entry into Brazil. As of May 22, 2023, Brazil lifted all entry requirements linked to COVID-19
* Preventive biosecurity protocols (recommendation of masks, physical distance and hand washing).
X. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information, please contact us at the following addresses:
Agencia Continental:
Colombia: Cell phone: (+57) 3158780770
Bolivia: Cell phone: (+591) 73108006
E-mail: presidencia@agenciacontinental.org
misiones@agenciacontinental.org
Hoping to have your valuable participation and your work team, we greet you and your institution, with the most distinguished considerations.
Respectfully.
