The mayor of Salvador, Antônio Carlos Magalhães Neto, in a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Brazil, João Cravinho, signed the Commitment Letter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy in its Latin American branch this Thursday, October 19, in Salvador. This made Bahia’s capital the first city to renew its commitment by joining the Global Covenant of Mayors in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For Salvador, joining the Global Covenant of Mayors signifies a commitment to take bold local actions and work alongside partners worldwide to share innovative solutions that enable mayors to act more quickly. Cities and local governments in the Global Covenant of Mayors connect, exchanging ideas, learning, and sharing experiences. By being part of this community, they strengthen their abilities to implement ambitious climate actions. Mayors and local agents committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors hold the key to fulfilling the Paris Agreement: the success of the Paris Agreement lies with cities, businesses, communities, and global citizens around the world.
ACM Neto stated today that “this action reaffirms our efforts to make Salvador an increasingly sustainable and green city. I took the opportunity to present the Salvador 360 actions, seeking more partnerships and opportunities for our capital.”
According to European Union Ambassador João Cravinho, “Bahia has significant potential in the renewable energy sector, an area where the European Union is a pioneer. Our strategic partnership with Brazil is based on a shared commitment to sustainable development and the fight against climate change. We lead the use of clean energies, such as wind and solar, in a commitment to a more sustainable economy.”
The Secretariat of the GCoM in Latin America supported today’s signing in Salvador. Manuel Alejandro Fuentes, director of the IUC program for Latin America and the Caribbean and a member of the Secretariat, said that “this is the first step in forming the Global Covenant of Mayors in Latin America. Next month, the capital cities of Brazil will sign the commitment letter with the GCoM, forming an initial group of excellence that will attract other cities in the country.”
After the signing, a round table led by João Cravinho discussed the negative consequences of climate change and the importance of joining the Global Covenant of Mayors, which would transform cities and local governments into agents of change and leaders in climate action.
In addition to Antônio Carlos Magalhães Neto and João Cravinho, the ambassadors to Brazil from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, and Luxembourg, as well as representatives from Denmark, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, were present in Salvador, Bahia. The event also included the presence of Manuel Alejandro Fuentes, Director of the International Urban Cooperation Project in Latin America (IUC-LAC) and a member of the Secretariat of the Global Covenant of Mayors in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Antonella Cersasino, leader of the EU Public Diplomacy Project.
The city of Salvador da Bahia coordinates the Forum of Brazilian Capitals (CB27) and will invite the rest of the Latin American cities to join the GCoM during the General Meeting of the National Front of Mayors (FNP), which will take place in Recife, between November 27 and 28.
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is the largest coalition of mayors and local leaders committed to climate action. Regional and subnational authorities are responsible for climate action alongside local authorities. The launch of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy occurred six months after the Paris Conference, where cities played a crucial role in advocating for an ambitious international agreement. This represents a historic and powerful response from local leaders to urgent climate change.
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean is the chapter for Latin America and the Caribbean, which will work to establish the Global Covenant of Mayors in 20 cities in the region. To ensure synergy and alignment of efforts and the best possible use of available resources, the Regional Steering Committee includes the Delegation of the European Union in Brazil, C40, ICLEI, UN-HABITAT, UCLG, CAF, and IDB.