21 October 2010: Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President of the Republic of Guatemala, gave a lecture at UN University (UNU) headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, focusing on climate change and the Mayan vision.

President Colom noted that climate change has increased Guatemala’s vulnerability to natural disasters, which has led the country to develop an innovative national climate change policy aimed at adapting to and mitigating the climate effects while achieving social and environmental welfare. He underscored efforts to promote active participation of indigenous communities in implementing the policy and its strategies.

President Colom expressed his optimism that the upcoming 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the UNFCCC, to be held in Cancun, Mexico, at the end of 2010, could move towards a more anthropocentric civilization, requiring the restoration of values such as respect and discipline. President Colom also highlighted how Guatemala’s efforts to address climate change can contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). [UNU Lecture Webcast]