Amazonian Cities gather to discuss climate trajectory and challenges for COP 30 in Belém

Amazonian Cities gather to discuss climate trajectory and challenges for COP 30 in Belém

Brasília, November 9, 2023 – In a joint effort to highlight the voices of Amazonian cities in their climate journey, the European Union and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy held the panel “From Local to Global: the Voice of Amazonian Cities to the World“,aiming to strengthen the role and exercise of climate diplomacy in these regions. The meeting, which took place within the framework of the IV National Meeting of Municipalities of the Brazilian Association of Municipalities, sought to create a space for signatory cities of the Global Covenant of Mayors in the Amazon region to share experiences and the challenges they face in implementing climate actions.

The event, which brought together 50 local authorities, including mayors, managers, secretaries, technicians, and members of municipalities, was divided into two moments.

In the first part, representatives from Amazonian cities, including Francineti Carvalho, mayor of Abaetetuba (PA); Fernanda Hassem, mayor of Brasiléia (AC); Christiane Ferreira, Secretary of the Environment of Belém (PA) in Brazil; Vladimir Chong, Mayor of Maynas in Peru; and André Granda, Prefect of Pastaza in Ecuador, presented their reality as Amazonian cities, sharing challenges and advancements related to the environment. Mayor Ubiracy Vasconcelos of Xapuri (AC), and Advisor Patricia Menezes of Barcarena (PA), also presented their local realities, discussing the complexity of the Amazon region compared to other urban scenarios in Latin America.

In the second part, various institutions dedicated to local climate action in the Amazon met. Representatives from the European Union, Stephanie Horel; from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Jorge Silva; ICLEI South America, Bráulio Díaz; GAP Fund, Guillermo Piñones; FNP/WRI/GIZ coalition, Toni Lindau; and CDP Latin America, Maria Clara Nascimento, formed a panel to share information, suggestions, provide feedback on projects, and present concrete opportunities.

The panel was guided by guiding questions, including the main difficulties and advancements of Amazonian cities, the specificities of each country and its Amazonian city, ongoing actions, and their Local Climate Action Plans. Additionally, the cities and institutions present discussed the necessary steps to position their demands in preparation for COP 30, which will be held in Belém in 2025.

Stephanie Horel, EU Program Officer, took the opportunity to remind that the Global Covenant of Mayors team has specific support lines for cities in the Amazon region and is available to support cities in advancing the climate and energy access agenda. Stephanie also highlighted the progress that the city of Belém (PA) is making in developing its Local Climate Action Plan, an indispensable mechanism for the host city of the upcoming COP to plan ambitious actions in this area. Belém’s Local Climate Action Plan is funded by the European Union Delegation in Brazil in coordination with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Brazilian Association of Municipalities, the National Mayors’ Front, and the Alziras Institute.

In the same context of the event, the Amazonian province of Pastaza in Ecuador took a significant step by signing its commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Prefect André Granda formalized the commitment alongside Stephanie Horel, highlighting the importance of the joint efforts of Amazonian localities in the fight against climate change.

This event not only strengthened the climate resilience of Amazonian cities but also created a lasting network of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint action for a sustainable future in the region.

Check all the event photos at the following link.