Mexican Local Governments face climate change at national conference in San Miguel de Allende
9-11 September 2009, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Opening plenary
On 9-11 September, more than 120 local government leaders gathered at the national conference “Local Governments facing climate change” in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Representing more than 15 states of Mexico, they used this opportunity to exchange experiences in climate change and sustainability.
The conference featured three days of sessions, round-tables and workshops on the following topics: energy efficiency and local renewables, climate change experiences, international cooperation, sustainable water management, local agenda 21, sustainable tourism and Environment Management Systems. As part of the technical program, there were three keynote conferences from the Mexican Ministry of Environment, the National Polytechnic Institute and ICLEI Vice-President, Martha Delgado.
During a round table, climate change experts of different orders of government, the embassy of Denmark in Mexico and international local governments associations discussed the role of local governments in the post-Kyoto process. Ambassador de Alba, on behalf of federal government showed the enthusiasm of the Mexican federal government for the incorporation of local governments in the discussions at COP 15 and offered his support and co-operation. Nestor Vega (FLACMA) also mentioned the very important role of Latin America’s local governments on the road to COP 15 and referred to more than 50 Latin American local goverenments who already signed the World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement.
- Round Table, from Left to Right: Edgar Villaseñor Franco. Executive Director of ICLEI México; Tomas López Martinez. Undersecretary of Political Development in the State of Guanajuato; Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba. Commissioner on Climate Change from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Johanes Dahl-Hansen. Ambassador in Mexico of the Denmark Kingdom; Nestor Vega. Climate Change Consultant. FLACMA; Oscar Vazquez. Climate Change Director, Mexico City Government; Efren Chavez, Administrative Director, Association of Mayors of National Action Party
During the closing ceremony, Martha Delgado, Vice-President of ICLEI, proposed to the audience a statement about climate change elaborated by Mexico City government and ICLEI Mexico to be reviewed, modified and approved. This statement will be sent and reviewed during October and November and will be presented by Mexico City Mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, during COP15.
The event was organized by the Mexico Office of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and the city of San Miguel de Allende with financial support of the European Union (Europe Aid) and the Embassy of Denmark in Mexico, the National Commission for Energy Efficient Use and the National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development.
For further information on Roadmap activities in Mexico, please visit the ICLEI Mexico website (in Spanish).