Latin America’s Leadership Towards a Resilient and Net Zero Future: Private sector and Non-State Actors Driving Climate Action

Latin America has long been a global driver of environmental leadership—from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to milestones such as the CBD COP16 in Cali. As we look ahead to COP30 in Belém, at the heart of the Amazon, the focus now is firmly on shifting from ambition to implementation. 

In this current context, it is critical that non-state actors—ranging from businesses and financial institutions to cities, Indigenous communities, and civil society—mobilize boldly, consistently, and ambitiously, showing that collective climate action is not only feasible but essential.

This year, countries are expected to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which must reflect and respond to the findings of the first Global Stocktake. This is a pivotal moment for nations to outline how they will close ambition and implementation gaps, building on the progress made since the Paris Agreement a decade ago.

The Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns—spearheaded by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions under the Marrakech Partnership—have become key drivers of this ambition loop. These campaigns provide pathways for non-state actors to halve global emissions and build the resilience of four billion people by 2030.

Over the past five years, these campaigns have shown that voluntary action can accelerate progress, catalyze radical collaboration, influence public policy, mobilize finance, and reshape markets. With over 16,000 members in Race to Zero and resilience plans covering more than two billion people through Race to Resilience partners, these initiatives are demonstrating what inclusive and impactful climate leadership can achieve on the global stage.

This year also marks several key milestones: the 25th anniversary of the Panama Canal’s transfer to national administration—a symbol of innovation and global trade—and the 25th anniversary of the UN Global Compact. Private sector leadership will be vital to securing a resilient, net zero future by 2050. Over the past 25 years, the UN Global Compact has redefined how companies operate, embedding sustainability into corporate strategy and promoting a global movement of responsible business, including climate action.

Accelerating action on the road to COP30

According to Brazil’s vision, COP30 will be the “Implementation COP”, a crucial milestone to transform ambition into results. In collaboration with partners such as the Panama Canal Authority and the UN Global Compact, this event will strengthen multicultural connections and foster the collaboration needed to scale climate solutions. It aims to elevate Impact Makers, leaders charting the course to the future we want in 2050 and inspire more actors to join them.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers include:

• Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29
• Ilya Espino de Marotta, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Panama Canal Authority
• Sara Omi, Indigenous Leader, Women’s Movement of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities
• Manuela Pinilla, Country Program Director Colombia, Build Change
• Teresa Moll de Alba, Senior Manager LAC, United Nations Global Compact
• Alexis Rodríguez, Regional Head of Energy Transition Execution - LAM AP Moller- Maersk. partner RtZ,  participant UN Global Compact
• Olga Cantillo, Latin America Stock Exchange Latinex, partner RtZ, participant UN Global Compact

Why attend?

This event welcomes policymakers, private sector actors, financial institutions and civil society organisations to engage in this discussion. The session will:

• Showcase regional leadership: Highlighting Latin American Impact Makers who are co-creating national climate strategies and delivering concrete actions. Celebrate 25 years of the UN Global Compact and the Panama Canal transfer to national administration in support of sustainable development.
• Celebrate progress and raise ambition: Spotlight the journey from commitment to implementation under the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns. Celebrate longstanding and new members of the campaigns and participants of the UN Global Compact.
• Connect key regional actors: Inspire and catalyze Latin American stakeholders’ climate ambition and action on the road to COP30.
• Align regional action with the “mutirão” spirit: Advance a collective movement for climate justice, inclusion, and urgency—anchored in Brazil’s vision for COP30 in the Amazon.

Spaces are limited so be sure to register in advance. Given limited capacity, we invite you to arrive early as entry will be on a first come, first served basis.