The British Embassy in Guatemala and the Ministry of Environment jointly organized a strategic workshop aimed at preparing Guatemala’s delegation for the upcoming COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The event brought together key figures, including Vice Minister Edwin Castellanos, who heads the delegation; Igor De la Roca, Secretary of CONAP; Ambassador Rita Mishaan, Guatemala’s Climate Change Special Envoy; and representatives from the British Embassy.
The discussions centered on strengthening Guatemala’s climate ambition through the enhancement of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These commitments focus on both mitigation and adaptation measures, with particular attention to critical sectors such as forests, water resources, agriculture, coastal zones, health, and infrastructure. Vice Minister Castellanos highlighted the urgent need to build resilience across these vulnerable areas to address the growing impacts of climate change.
Ambassador Mishaan reaffirmed Guatemala’s dedication to active and constructive participation at COP30, noting ongoing collaboration with the United Kingdom through the Cartagena Dialogue—an alliance of around 40 countries promoting ambitious, low-carbon action. She also emphasized Guatemala’s leadership within the AILAC bloc, which unites eight Latin American and Caribbean nations sharing common climate objectives.
The workshop further explored shared priorities, including the advancement of National Adaptation Plans, progress tracking under the Global Goal on Adaptation, the expansion of adaptation finance, and the operationalization of the loss and damage fund. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a high-ambition COP30 outcome through continued collaboration with Brazil, Guatemala, and regional partners.
