Escazú Agreement Secretariat participates in National Implementation Meeting in Mexico

Authorities, experts and representatives of civil society met on 11 and 12 March 2020 in Mexico City at the National Implementation Meeting on the Escazú Agreement. 

The aim of the meeting was to facilitate a dialogue on the developments, challenges, strategies and opportunities for the implementation of the Escazú Agreement in Mexico in view of its prompt ratification. 

Opening remarks were delivered by Camila Zepeda Lizama, Director General for Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rodolfo Godínez, Chief of the International Affairs Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources; Joseluis Samaniego, Director of the Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division of ECLAC and Olimpia Castillo on behalf of civil society.

ECLAC was responsible for the featured address on the Escazú Agreement as a tool to empower citizens. In its capacity as Secretariat of the Escazú Agreement, it highlighted the importance of this regional treaty to enable persons, including those in vulnerable situations, exercise their rights on access to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice.

The National Meeting was convened by the Mexican Centre of Environmental Law (CEMDA), Comunidación y Educación Ambiental, Cultura Ecológica, Fundar-Centro de Análisis e Investigación, Amnesty International Mexico and Centro de Colaboración Cívica.

ECLAC also held bilateral meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SEMARNAT and INAI to discuss opportunities for collaboration on the implementation of the Escazú Agreement once ratified.