Latin American Mayors at COP28 Advocating for Urgent Climate Actions

Despeñaderos, Argentina / Independencia, Chile – December 12, 2023

At a critical moment for global climate action, Carolina Basualdo, mayor of Despeñaderos, Argentina, and president of the Global Covenant of Mayors, along with Gonzalo Durán, mayor of Independencia, Chile, and a member of the same forum, actively participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, UAE, in December 2023.

COP28 represents an urgent call for transformative global climate action, bringing together leaders and experts from around the world. Basualdo and Durán were invited by Bloomberg Philanthropies, allowing them not only to engage in the global process but also to showcase initiatives implemented across Latin America by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

Gonzalo Durán shared his reflections on the importance of the conference, emphasizing the need to act now and the significance of local action: “The journey begins towards the largest gathering for the care of the planet: COP28. I have participated in this forum before, but I consider this one the most crucial due to the urgency we face and the openness to the participation of local governments,” expressed Durán.

Carolina Basualdo, highlighting the importance of cities in decision-making related to climate action, stated: “Cities at COP28 have a seat at the decision-making table because climate action happens in cities and communities.” In her participation, Basualdo underscored the leading role of local governments at the summit. “For the first time, local governments are protagonists and participants in this summit. We are more than a thousand mayors from around the world gathered to promote international financing and the importance of local governments in climate action participation,” she declared.

Basualdo also emphasized the importance of funding for communities, thanking Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40, and the European Union for their support. In a special session titled “A Necessary Evolution: Integrating Multilevel Climate Action into the Paris Agreement,” she shared experiences alongside world leaders such as the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the UN Special Advisor, Selwin Hart.

COP28 also witnessed significant milestones, including the launch of the climate fund to finance losses and damages for vulnerable countries, providing local governments with direct access to accelerate climate action. This historic event underscored the crucial role of local governments in the fight against climate change, positioning them at a multisectoral table with ministries and granting them a leading voice to address the real issues facing cities.

With the commitment of Basualdo and Durán, COP28 marks a significant step towards a sustainable future, where local leaders play a crucial role in creating effective climate solutions.