From March 29 to 31, mayors gather in Cartagena de Indias, one of the emblematic cities of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Americas (GCoM Americas), a project funded by the European Union. The meeting takes place within the framework of the National Congress of Municipalities 2023, organized by the Colombian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), which coordinates the Covenant in the country.
The event featured a high-level panel on “Governance for the Climate Crisis” with the participation of the Director of Climate Change and Risk Management at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Sebastián Carranza; the Vice President of Sustainability – EPM, Ana Milena Joya; the Calderón Vigía Forestal, represented by Víctor Manuel Saborio, and the mayor of Tópaga – Boyacá, Álvaro Henry Barrera Díaz. Pact expert Belén Jiménez represented the alliance.
The mayor of Tópaga – Boyacá and representative of the Mayors’ Forum of the Covenant in Latin America, Álvaro Henry Barrera Díaz, shared his experience regarding the importance of the participation of small communities like his in international initiatives such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. He highlighted how the project has assisted him in terms of adaptation and mitigation by working collectively with eight neighboring municipalities. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity the alliance provides them to meet with cities from other countries and share similar challenges to those in his locality.
Representing the Covenant, expert Belén Jiménez emphasized three key points to combat the climate crisis: the need to understand that global challenges can only be materialized at the local level, so the Covenant directly supports small and medium-sized cities that are the first to feel the effects of the climate; the importance of decarbonization and adaptation to climate change; and the integration of the climate agenda across the formulation of public policies at the local, provincial, and national levels, with the support of all sectors, including the private sector, public sector, academia, and civil society, to address the climate crisis.
Technical and financial support under discussion
Belén Jiménez, Covenant expert for Latin America, led the workshop “Opportunities for technical and financial support for municipalities within the framework of GCoM Americas.” As part of the Covenant’s national strategy in Colombia, the goal of the meeting was to present the main tools to facilitate technical management and access to climate financing sources, as well as to provide information on technical support for the design of climate action plans. Additionally, discussions were held with FCM and ICLEI about the national strategy, ongoing activities, and processes taking place in different cities, as well as those planned for the coming months.
“The climate crisis is a wake-up call for all of us. Decarbonization and adaptation are the two irreversible paths we must take to ensure a sustainable future for all,” stated Jiménez. “As leaders and citizens, it is our responsibility to act decisively and take concrete measures to address this challenge,” she concluded.
With 37 cities committed to the Covenant and leading the climate fight in Colombia, FCM considers the visibility of spaces like this crucial at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
During the discussion, key topics were addressed, such as the advantages of Covenant support, the acceleration of local climate action in Colombia, and the benefits of working on local partnerships and pooling efforts at the local level, as seen in Tópaga.
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Americas (GCoM Americas) is a global alliance of cities and local governments voluntarily committed to combating climate change by reducing its inevitable impacts and facilitating access to sustainable and affordable energy for all. The Covenant is funded by the European Union, a strategic partner in the region’s fight against climate change.
For further information:
Press: Ebida Santos, [email protected]
Technical inquiries: Belén Jiménez, [email protected]
