Bogotá ends July as the host of two significant events, focused on highly relevant themes for the city: gender equity, social integration, and local development based on innovation. Mayor Claudia López actively participated in both events, sharing the city's progress during her three-and-a-half years of governance with national and international experts.
At the headquarters of Bogotá's Chamber of Commerce, the 4th Edition of the Women Economic Forum (WEF) Latam is taking place. This forum brings together economics, business, human development, and environmental sustainability, all under the leadership of women. The current discussions are centered around innovation and disruptive leadership to bridge gender gaps.
The WEF is a global platform for conferences that foster conversations, connections, and collaborations among women. Its goal is to increase visibility, amplify voices, gain recognition, and facilitate networking to achieve "business beyond borders." This event has been held in 40 countries, and it is the third time it takes place in Colombia.
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During this forum, Mayor Claudia López was honored with the Legendary Woman Award, bestowed by the Women Economic Forum upon pioneering women and leaders in their professional careers. This prestigious award recognizes distinctive, inspiring, and innovative voices and visions that are shaping a new narrative capable of inspiring and influencing more conscious and empowered leadership. In previous years, this award has been granted to remarkable women such as Rigoberta Menchú, indigenous Guatemalan leader and activist, and 1992's Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Ouided Bouchamaoui, Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2015; and Michelle Obama, former US First Lady.
The acknowledgment during the award ceremony was delivered by Karen Brugés, the director of the Violeta Women Foundation and president of the Women Economic Forum for Colombia. She stated, "We present this award to Claudia López for being a legendary woman. This is the highest recognition given by the WEF, and today it is bestowed upon the Mayor of Bogotá for her outstanding management in favor of women's growth and the reduction of gender gaps."
Upon receiving the award, Mayor López highlighted the progress made in women's political empowerment, education, and economic autonomy. She also emphasized the importance of adopting a comprehensive gender perspective in institutions and policies.
"Thank you for choosing Bogotá as the venue for the WEF. This recognition honors and further commits me to continue the work we have been doing, not only for the women of Bogotá but for all of Colombia," stated the emotional Mayor.
Following this moment, Mayor López engaged in a panel discussion with Harbeen Arora Rai, the founder of the WEF; Chiara Corazza, the special representative of G7 and G20 in the Forum for Women in the Economy and Society; and Karen Brugés.
Regional Forum on Inclusive Cities by UN-Habitat
Later on, Mayor López participated in the Mayors' Dialogue of the Regional Forum on Inclusive Cities by UN-Habitat, which also took place in the country's capital. The theme of this session was 'the importance of cities as platforms for integration and local development.'
The project Inclusive Cities, Supportive Communities' is implemented by UNHCR, IOM, and UN-Habitat with the support of the European Union in six countries and ten cities in Latin America and the Caribbean: Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga in Colombia; Lima in Peru; Quito and Manta in Ecuador; Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; La Chorrera in Panama, and Chaguanas in Trinidad and Tobago, among others. Its goal is to strengthen the capacities of local governments to manage the integration of the migrant population through innovative actions that promote urban prosperity, socio-economic inclusion, creativity, and the skills of migrants and host communities.
In this tweet, Mayor Claudia López talks about her participation in the UN-Habitat Regional Forum on Inclusive Cities together with mayors of cities in Colombia and Latin America:
Un gusto intercambiar experiencias y buenas prácticas con alcaldes de diferentes ciudades de Colombia y América Latina, en el Foro Regional #CiudadesIncluyentes sobre atención a la población migrante.
— Claudia López Hernández (@ClaudiaLopez) July 27, 2023
Gracias @onuhabitat, @OIMSuramerica@ACNURamericas, @UEenColombia… pic.twitter.com/Ysb0Z0uyQa
During the event, the Mayor shared the panel with mayors Jairo Yáñez of Cúcuta, Juan Carlos Cárdenas of Bucaramanga, Carlos Maya of Pereira, Tomás Velásquez of La Chorrera in Panama, José Montas of San Cristóbal in the Dominican Republic, Ana Lucia Reis of Cobija, Bolivia, and Édouard Herve Moby of Douala, Cameroon, among other national and international representatives.
This session revolved around the exchange of experiences and innovative good practices from the 'Inclusive Cities, Supportive Communities' project, as well as from other municipalities that could serve as inspiration for building more inclusive cities.
The Mayor shared strategies for the economic, social, and cultural integration of the migrant population, through the strengthening and coordination of 19 district entities: "The first strategy in this policy for immigrants is to welcome the new citizens of Bogotá, making them aware that this is an opportunity, not a problem. Yesterday, it was for them, and today, it is for us. Here, we only have solidarity and empathy with those who come to the city," emphasized the Mayor during her speech.
Both events, which conclude activities tomorrow Friday, witnessed a significant influx of guests and participants from Colombia and other countries worldwide, who took advantage of their presence in these spaces to enjoy everything that Bogotá has to offer.
