Chihuahua Officials Meet to Strengthen Sustainability Agenda

Municipal leaders from across Chihuahua gathered in Meoqui for the Municipal Congress on Sustainability and Green Financing, a forum designed to strengthen local governments’ capacity to develop and fund environmental initiatives. The event was organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Mexico, the National Association of Mayors (ANAC), and the municipalities of Chihuahua and Meoqui, bringing together mayors, council members, technical officials and experts in sustainable development, environmental management and green finance.

Meoqui Mayor Miriam Soto said the congress provided an essential platform for collaboration among municipalities facing similar environmental and infrastructure challenges. “We are very pleased to welcome mayors from across the state, particularly Mayor Marco Bonilla, who has consistently supported these exchanges that allow us to learn from other countries and adapt best practices locally,” she said. Soto also highlighted the participation of water authorities, including municipal and rural water boards and irrigation districts. “Preparing ourselves as public servants means staying informed about global trends,” she added.

Chihuahua Mayor Marco Bonilla thanked Meoqui for co-hosting the event and underscored the need for coordinated regional action. “Sustainability—especially water—demands joint work to address the challenges posed by current reforms,” he said. “When local governments are strong, the state as a whole is strong. Meoqui and Mayor Miriam Soto are key allies. We are one region and one state: Chihuahua.”

Among the expert speakers was María Eugenia Rinaudo, sustainability director at Universidad EAN in Colombia, who presented “Keys to Designing Cities of the Future.” She outlined global pressures—including climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and the need for more inclusive cities—and proposed strategies such as green and blue infrastructure, water reuse systems, sustainable mobility, urban regeneration and participatory planning. Using case studies from Medellín, Milan, Johannesburg and Dubai, Rinaudo stressed that each municipality must shape its own long-term vision focused on resilience and community well-being.

The event followed a similar forum in Sonora, where Colombian urbanist Carlos Moreno presented his “15-Minute City” model. The concept promotes city planning that ensures residents can access work, healthcare, education, commerce and recreation within a short walk or bike ride. “Cities must be built for each person, not everyone in the same way,” Moreno said, noting that science and social analysis can help governments better understand local needs.

Addressing an audience that included Mayor Antonio Astiazarán, public officials and energy-sector representatives, Moreno argued that Hermosillo could become a regional benchmark by integrating sustainable mobility and renewable energy into its planning tools. Reducing car dependency, shortening commutes and strengthening the local economy, he said, will require not only new infrastructure but a shift in how residents perceive and use their urban environment.