The “More Sustainable Petén” initiative, part of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, seeks to promote economic growth in Petén while safeguarding the environment and ensuring responsible use of natural resources. Funded and implemented by Team Europe—which includes the European Union, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, and Sweden—and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the program also works closely with Guatemalan institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, National Council of Protected Areas, National Forest Institute, Guatemalan Tourism Institute, and the National Institute of Public Administration, alongside other local partners. From October 7 to 9, the annual meeting of the initiative’s Technical Committee will bring together stakeholders from Team Europe, public institutions, and local communities to monitor progress, strengthen coordination, and identify synergies for greater impact.
Entering its second year, “More Sustainable Petén” has established work teams and made progress in capacity-building activities, pilot projects, equipment delivery, and the construction of basic infrastructure. These efforts aim to increase sustainable production and productivity in forestry, agriculture, livestock, and tourism, while improving water, sanitation, and waste management services. During the first day of the Technical Committee meeting, participants will review sectoral progress, discuss the initiative’s gender strategy, and explore priority interventions, including sustainable forest management and tourism development.
On the second day, local authorities, civil society organizations, private and financial sector representatives, and communities will share updates, such as the gender equality profile of Petén and updated municipal waste management plans in the Lake Petén Itzá basin. Discussions will also focus on sustainable business opportunities and financing mechanisms to accelerate the green transition in Petén within the framework of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda. The meeting will conclude with an exchange of experiences on forest restoration and livelihoods, drawing lessons from the European Union-funded “Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica” program, followed by a field visit to Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park to review conservation, protection, and tourism strategies and explore complementarities with the initiative.
With a budget of 450 million quetzales for 2023–2029, “More Sustainable Petén” represents one of the largest environmental and social investments in the department’s history. The initiative is aligned with Guatemala’s National Development Priorities, General Government Policy, K’atun 2032 National Development Plan, municipal development and territorial planning plans, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Its five components focus on capacity building for the ecological transition, sustainable management of forests and biodiversity, climate-resilient forestry, agriculture, and livestock farming, promotion of sustainable tourism, and improvements in water, sanitation, and waste management. The program is led by the National Council of Protected Areas and the EU Delegation in coordination with SEGEPLAN, and implemented by GIZ, AECID, CIRAD, FAO, and Swisscontact with support from local institutions.
