During the Cumbre Glocal de Economía Circular in Ibagué, the Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI) and Asocapitales signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen sustainability in Colombia's capital cities. The agreement was signed in the presence of mayors from various countries and Colombian capitals. It represents a political and technical commitment to innovation and circular economy.
OEI's Colombia director Donatella Montaldo and Asocapitales director Andrés Santamaría signed the memorandum on April 23 in Ibagué, during the Cumbre Glocal de Economía Circular. The event was attended by mayors from Argentina, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Panama, and over 15 Colombian capitals.
Montaldo emphasized that the agreement goes beyond protocol: «The signing of this memorandum of understanding between Asocapitales and the OEI represents much more than a ceremonial act. It represents a political and technical commitment to strengthening local capacities, public innovation, and the sustainable development of our cities and regions.» She highlighted areas such as public servant training, digital transformation, local democracy with a gender and youth focus, bioeconomy, climate action, and energy transition.
Santamaría shared waste data: the 32 capitals concentrate over 60% of solid waste generated, exceeding 15 million tons annually, with recycling below 10% from 2023 to 2024, and 624 kilograms per inhabitant per year. He noted 45 final disposal sites with expired lifespan and 31 with less than three years remaining. «With this memorandum of understanding, we seek to contribute better technical capacities, better innovation tools, but above all to raise awareness among the largest solid waste producers, which are our capital cities.»
The event aligns with the OECD's eighth Circular Economy Meeting in Ibagué for the first time in Latin America, featuring over 70 mayors and 1,500 summit participants. Montaldo concluded: «We send a clear message today: inter-institutional cooperation is key to advancing toward a fairer, more resilient, and sustainable development model.»
