A strategic moment in New York

Climate Week NYC, held in parallel with the United Nations General Assembly, is one of the most relevant forums for the global climate agenda. By bringing together national and subnational governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations, the event consolidates trends and directly influences multilateral negotiations under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). In this context, ICLEI South America is acting strategically to highlight the contribution of South American cities and regions, positioning them as protagonists of global climate action.

In 2025, ICLEI will participate in Climate Week NYC with its largest delegation ever, comprising mayors, governors, and state secretaries from eight countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Ecuador. Among the delegation members are:

• Marjorie Kauffmann, Secretary of State for Environment and Infrastructure, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Vice-President ICLEI)
• Renata Maria de Araújo, Superintendent of Environmental Quality and Climate Change, Minas Gerais 
• Nathalia Resende, Secretary of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of the State of São Paulo, Brazil
• Ivan Euler, Secretary of Sustainability, Resilience and Animal Protection, Salvador, Brazil
• Alejandro Char, The Mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia
• María Victoria Flores, Minister of Environment and Circular Economy, Cordoba, Argentina
• André Granda, Provincial Governor, Pastaza, Ecuador

The presence of these leaders reinforces South America's role as a bridge between different regions of the world in building concrete climate solutions and highlights the importance of subnational action for the global agenda.

Participation in strategic spaces

ICLEI South America's agenda in New York is being marked by insertion into high-visibility multilateral spaces, which strengthen the subnational voice in the international climate process:

• High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation at the UN General Assembly (22/09): Marjorie Kauffmann's participation brought the South American perspective on resilience and adaptation, emphasising the urgency of mechanisms that guarantee direct access to funding for cities and regions. 
• Under2 Coalition Ministerial Global (22/09): As part of the coalition's ten-year anniversary, ICLEI South America reinforced the convergence between states and municipalities in the region, highlighting the role of subnational policies for a just and inclusive transition.
• EU–Brazil–United States Dialogue on Climate Change (23/09): The trilateral meeting discussed the challenges of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate finance, and combating disinformation. ICLEI South America highlights how local and regional governments can catalyse greater ambition and implementation, articulating concrete solutions that connect global and territorial agendas.

Path to COP30 in Belém

More than internationally projecting the region's climate leadership, participation reinforces ICLEI's position as spokesperson for the Local Government and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, articulating strategic points that include consolidating an urban and multi-level legacy, strengthening adaptation, promoting a just transition, direct access to funding for local governments, and building new governance. These pillars guide the ongoing political articulations in New York and consolidate COP30 as a conference that leaves a lasting climate legacy anchored in the territories.

Follow the ICLEI South America delegation's updates throughout the week and discover how subnational leadership is shaping ambitious and inclusive climate solutions towards COP30.