The cities signed the commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy at the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland.
On Thursday, the 30th, the Vice Minister of Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and the mayors of Cantón Mejía and Barranquilla met at the World Urban Forum for the signing ceremony of the commitment letter of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Americas (GCoM Americas). The event, held from June 26 to 30, is the main global conference on sustainable urbanization.
Jordan Harris, Coordinator of the Global Covenant of Mayors in the Americas, noted that the Covenant of Mayors in Latin America brings together cities of all sizes and very different realities. And that all those who have joined have made a very clear commitment to work to prevent climate change and to integrate climate action planning and action processes into their local management. “Today we are very happy to inaugurate this event where we can welcome two more cities,” Harris highlighted in his welcoming remarks.
The mayor of Cantón Mejía, Roberto Hidalgo, took the opportunity to present the municipality’s climate initiatives, focused on planning: “We have bet on a land use planning tool as the tool that allows us to avoid unnecessary land use changes and, above all, maintain our water sources that are in this productive canton,” he emphasized. According to the mayor, this action allows water to be supplied to practically 35% of the population of the metropolitan district of Quito. “That is why it is extremely important that Cantón Mejía continue fighting,” Hidalgo stressed.
The mayor of Barranquilla, Jaime Pumarejo, presented the city’s climate actions and drew attention to the importance of the union of Latin American mayors to preserve the region’s biodiversity. For the mayor, “we have to take care of the nature that has sustained us so far, and ensure that our biodiversity is not a victim of industrialization and the pursuit of economic development.” “We are very pleased to be part of this document and to begin to be a single voice with the other cities that are part of this network,” Pumarejo concluded.
Stéphanie Horel, Program Officer of the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument in the Americas, which finances the support of the GCoM in the region, welcomed the cities and expressed her enthusiasm for the exchange of experiences of the new signatories with the GCoM networks. “We believe that there are many experiences both in Colombia and Ecuador that can help and nurture the Covenant alliance. In these presentations, the importance of multi-level action in countries and the implementation of cities’ climate action plans has become very clear.”
Access the video of the welcome ceremony here: Bienvenidas a nuevas ciudades firmantes de América Latina: Barranquilla, Colombia, Mejía, Ecuador
About the Global Covenant of Mayors
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a global alliance of cities and local governments voluntarily committed to taking action on climate change, reducing its impacts, and facilitating access to sustainable and affordable energy for all. It is a commitment that fosters bold local action, working together globally, and sharing innovative solutions that enable mayors and their teams to do more for the climate and do it faster. The cities of the alliance connect and exchange knowledge and ideas, with the support of relevant regional organizations. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is the largest global coalition of mayors and local authorities, with over 11,700 local governments committed in more than 135 countries around the world. Those interested in participating can do so at any time. To do so, the mayor must sign a Commitment Letter and send it to [email protected].
