Local solutions, global impact: Latin American cities accelerating the decade of implementation
Local leadership at the heart of global climate action: cities from the Global Covenant of Mayors in Latin America contribute innovative climate projects to the COP30 Action Agenda.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (November 2025) – The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) in Latin America held a high-level strategic event with regional leaders on November 5, 2025, as part of the Local Leaders Forum (LLF), an important meeting co-organized by the COP30 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The meeting of the Covenant Mayors Forum in Latin America brought together leaders under the slogan “Local solutions, global impact: Latin American cities accelerating the decade of implementation.” The goal was to discuss, present, and inspire with ambitious and effective climate actions, positioning local leadership as essential for global implementation.
The highlight of the GCoM Mayors Forum was the tangible demonstration of cities’ commitment to the Paris Agreement and climate action.
Leaders from 15 member cities in Latin America shared a wide range of climate projects being promoted in their territories. These concrete local climate actions show that cities are at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
The debates highlighted the crucial role of local authorities as the first line of response to the climate crisis and the direct risks to the population. Cities not only inspire discussions about climate change, but also act as direct implementers, translating global goals into local, diverse, and multisectoral actions.
The initiatives were presented by cities such as Despeñaderos (AR), San Justo (AR), Salvador (BR), Renca (CH), Belén (CR), Oreamuno (CR), San Isidro (PE), and Coronel Portillo/Pucallpa (PE), among others, which reinforce the transformative power of urban action in the region.
Strategic contribution to the global climate and recognition
The meeting marked the end of the “From Paris to Belém” campaign, and recognition of the cities’ efforts was formalized with the presentation of 2024 report medals to the cities participating in the Forum, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and transparency in climate action. This was a moment of celebration and strengthening for the cities for the next 10 years of implementation.
Leaders and authorities in attendance
The meeting, held at the Rio Art Museum, was attended by prominent global and regional authorities:
- Laurence Graff (Advisor to the European Climate Pact, European Commission, DG CLIMA)
- Dan Ioschpe (High Level Climate Champion)
- Maria Clara Nascimento (Focal Point of the COP30 Presidency for the action agenda)
- Stéphanie Horel (Program Officer, European Union Delegation to Brazil)
- Andy Deacon (Co-Executive Director, GCoM)
- Luis Saénz (Senior Advocacy Manager, C40-GCOM Joint Program)
- Carolina Basualdo (Mayor of Despeñaderos, Argentina, AR and Member of the GCoM Board of Directors)
- Nicolás Cuesta (Mayor of San Justo, Argentina)
- Erick Jiménez (Mayor of Oreamuno, Costa Rica)
- Janet Castagne (Mayor of Coronel Portillo, Peru)
- Claudio Castro Salas (Mayor of Renca, Chile)
- Nancy Vizurraga (Mayor of San Isidro, Peru)
- Ivan Euler (Secretary of Sustainability, Resilience, Well-being, and Animal Protection of Salvador, Brazil)
Context of the Local Leaders Forum (LLF)
The Local Leaders Forum is a key unifying platform on the road to Belém, anchoring the COP30 Global Taskforce and shifting the focus from negotiation to action. Co-organized by the COP30 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the LLF brings together hundreds of mayors, governors, and regional leaders from around the world.
Its goal is to highlight the measurable progress of subnational jurisdictions in meeting climate goals and connect local action to global outcomes. The forum serves as a milestone for crucial meetings, such as the C40 World Mayors Summit and the Global Summit of States and Regions, and will culminate in the Local Climate Action Summit, where a final declaration of support from thousands of local leaders to COP30 will be presented, affirming their commitment to real and concrete solutions.
About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)
The GCoM supports cities and local governments by mobilizing and backing ambitious, measurable, and planned climate and energy actions within their communities, in collaboration with city and regional networks, national governments, and other partners to achieve its vision. It is currently led by UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera.
The coalition includes cities across six continents and 147 countries, representing over one billion people — equivalent to more than 13% of the world’s population.
For more information about the GCoM, visit our website or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
