Mexico and France Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Address Climate Crisis and Biodiversity Loss

• Bilateral cooperation focuses on shared commitments including environmental restoration, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the circular economy

On the occasion of the Bicentennial of Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and France, the two countries signed two Declarations of Intent marking a new phase in environmental cooperation. Signed on International Mother Earth Day, the Declarations strengthen a historic relationship now guided by shared solutions to global challenges including climate change, ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss.

At the event, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Alicia Bárcena stressed that the global scale of the environmental crisis demands a collective response: "Environmental challenges know no borders; the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation demand joint, ambitious, and solidarity-driven action." She noted that Mexico-France cooperation rests on a convergence of shared values and responsibilities aimed at driving tangible solutions. "These are not just documents - they are commitments, agendas that matter to both nations," she said.

Secretary Bárcena highlighted the role of environmental diplomacy as an effective tool for translating agreements into action. "Environmental diplomacy cannot be an abstract exercise: it has names, ecosystems, communities," she said, while reaffirming Mexico's conservation commitments: "We are committed to protecting 30 percent of our territory by 2030, both on land and at sea." She added that this new phase would advance priorities including the circular economy, climate action, biodiversity protection, and ocean governance through mechanisms for technical, scientific, and financial cooperation.

At an event held at the ministry's offices, the following were signed:

• A Declaration of Intent between the Mexican Environment Ministry and France's Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Climate and Nature Negotiations, updating the 2022 agreement and strengthening bilateral coordination in line with each country's environmental priorities.
• A Declaration of Intent on Protected Natural Areas between the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the French Office for Biodiversity, aimed at promoting the exchange of experience, technical cooperation, and joint conservation projects.

French Ambassador to Mexico Delphine Borione emphasized the results-oriented approach of bilateral cooperation: "We must achieve results, act through concrete projects, and mobilize financing and technical and scientific cooperation." She said, "Mexico has in France a partner for developing initiatives that benefit both nature and people."

Undersecretary María Teresa Mercado noted, "Mexico and France are aligning to drive concrete action on urgent challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation - a far-reaching cooperation that demands a global, coordinated, and sustained response," and underscored the role of multilateralism and bilateral cooperation in translating commitments into outcomes.

CONANP Commissioner Pedro Álvarez-Icaza Longoria noted that collaboration with France strengthens institutional conservation capacity. "Nature knows no borders, but protecting it requires shared will. This declaration is a pivotal step toward accelerating solutions to our shared challenges," he said, adding that "biodiversity is not a peripheral concern - it is one of the fundamental pillars of peace, social well-being, and sustainable development."

The Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, through strategic partnerships that contribute to ecosystem protection and community wellbeing.