Today, 29, the city of Chitré, in the province of Herrera, Panama, joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in a virtual signing ceremony. With its incorporation, there are now seven signatory cities of the largest global coalition of local governments in Panama, voluntarily committed to the fight against climate change, which represents a first step towards cleaner and more harmonious societies with the environment.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Association of Municipalities of Panama (AMUPA), Jorge Panay highlighted the effect of the first signing with the municipality of Ocú and that the effort to involve more municipalities in the Covenant continues.

“I hope we can continue to do this. Our goal is that by 2024 100% of Panamanian local governments are part of the GCoM and that Panama offers a territorial model of sustainable efforts to address the issue of climate change”, said Panay.

The Coordinator of the Global Covenant for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marja Edelman, recognized that the commitment assumed by the mayors is voluntary, the result of a long-term intersectoral vision, highlighting that therefore “it requires hard work and coordination effort, search for data and information and a high level of commitment and determination on the part of municipal teams”. Edelman addressed the following words to the mayor of Chitré, Juan Carlos Huerta:

“I congratulate you because by making public and prioritizing the climate agenda you join the leadership of the fight for a better world.”

Mayor Juan Carlos Huerta thanked him for the virtual event where he signed the letter of commitment that will allow him to establish strategic alliances with national and international organizations to join efforts aimed at minimizing the effects of climate change.

“We have a very active and twinned population that always comes together in the most difficult moments and that strives to advance our district. Beyond the event, this is a commitment from me, the mayor’s office, the district and all the personnel under my charge ”, Huerta highlighted.

Also participating in the event were Ligia Castro de Doens, Advisor to the Minister of the Environment and National Director of Climate Change, Melitza Anani Tristán, National Director of Environmental Culture, Guadalupe González, Director of Electricity of the SNE, representing the National Secretary of Energy and part of the AMUPA Technical Team. All, in their speeches, pledged to support the municipality of Chitré in this way, so that this alliance yields the best results.

The general coordination of the event was in charge of Jorge Solís, Manager of Local Development and Sustainability of AMUPA.