La Estrella, Colombia, joins the GCoM’s Mayors Forum
September 20, Bogotá, Colombia. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), a project funded by the European Union, is pleased to announce the inclusion of La Estrella, Colombia, in the Mayors’ Forum in Latin America. Under the leadership of Mayor Carlos Mario Gutiérrez Arrubla and with the support of Secretary of Environment Carlos Andrés Correa Mesa, La Estrella strengthens its commitment to global climate action and sustainability.
“It is an honor for our city to join the Mayors’ Forum of the GCoM. I would like to thank this space and recognize the excellent work that La Estrella has been developing thanks to our Secretary of Environment, Carlos Andrés Correa Mesa, and his team, who have given continuity and momentum to our environmental initiatives. La Estrella is known as a green municipality in Colombia, with programs that aim to address global environmental challenges,” said Carlos Mario Gutiérrez Arrubla.
Environmental Commitment of La Estrella
The municipality has been a pioneer in several sustainability initiatives, including moss propagation projects, composting plants, and greenhouses. These actions have not only positioned La Estrella as a reference in Colombia but have also attracted the interest of other cities seeking to replicate these efforts.
Carlos Andrés Correa Mesa, Secretary of Environment of La Estrella, highlighted the advances in urban biodiversity conservation: “We are working on intelligent management of urban green spaces, balancing the urban ecosystem with wildlife. Our sustainable development model includes innovative initiatives such as exchanging recycling for food and clothing, allowing us to address both sustainability and poverty reduction.”
Diversity and Continuity in Climate Action
Along with the municipality of Belén de los Andaquíes (Caquetá), which joined the Forum in January 2024, La Estrella’s participation in the Forum is seen as an example of Colombia’s environmental diversity and richness, connecting Amazonian and inland cities in the fight against climate change. “We highly value the continuity of actions over time. The inclusion of La Estrella demonstrates that these environmental initiatives are well-established and a priority for the city,” said Hélinah Cardoso Moreira, Regional Director of the Global Covenant of Mayors in the Americas.
With the inclusion of La Estrella, the Mayors’ Forum continues to strengthen climate governance in Latin America, diversifying approaches and solutions to the region’s climate challenges. La Estrella joins a space where cities from across the continent collaborate to create strategies to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development. In this role, La Estrella will be supported by the Covenant Secretariat, as well as by the National Coordinators of the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (ASOCAPITALES), the Colombian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), and ICLEI Colombia.
Next Steps for La Estrella and the Forum
La Estrella also joins the Forum at a key moment for Colombia. The country has been selected as a pilot for the CHAMP coalition, driven by the COP28 presidency and supported by 73 countries with the goal of promoting multilevel climate action partnerships. La Estrella’s participation in the Forum will allow the city to actively contribute to the implementation of CHAMP throughout Colombia, serving as a model for other municipalities.
Moreover, COP16 on Biodiversity, which will be held in Cali, Colombia, next October, will place a global focus on biodiversity and conservation strategies. In this context, La Estrella will play a significant role in demonstrating how local actions can have a global impact, consolidating its leadership in the fight against climate change.
About the Mayors’ Forum of GCoM Latin America
The Mayors’ Forum in Latin America brings together leaders of municipalities from across Latin America committed to climate action. Currently composed of 14 mayors from eight countries, the Forum is a key space for strengthening the voice and vision of cities in the GCoM’s regional strategies. The participating leaders act as spokespersons for their communities, promoting the visibility of their municipalities’ climate commitments and ensuring that local priorities are integrated into global climate governance.