Poland Steps Up Alongside Chile and India to Strengthen Global Climate Action with New Mayoral Appointments

Poland joins Chile and India in promoting global climate action as three new mayors take on roles in a major international climate alliance. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy represents over 14,000 cities and local governments from 150 countries and 1.2 billion people and aims to speed up urban sustainability, strengthen climate resilience and boost international cooperation through its latest appointments.

As GCoM marks its tenth anniversary, these appointments represent another step towards strengthening local responses to global climate challenges. The three leaders will enhance regional representation across South Asia, Latin America, and the European Union and Western Europe. Their involvement is expected to support greater access to climate financing, improve urban resilience, and encourage stronger cooperation between local, national and international authorities.

The newly appointed mayors will work alongside GCoM co-chairs Michael R. Bloomberg, United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. Together, they will advance the organisation’s efforts to empower cities, accelerate practical climate solutions and strengthen partnerships between different levels of government worldwide.

“Cities are leading the way in the fight against climate change – developing and testing ambitious ideas that are improving the lives of their residents. We are glad to welcome Mayors Minimol, Castro, and Dulkiewicz to our Board of Mayors and Leaders and look forward to working with them to accelerate the progress cities are making,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, GCoM Co-Chair, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

As a newly appointed member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Board, Mayor V.K. Minimol will represent participating cities and local governments across South Asia, encouraging regional leaders to strengthen their commitments to tackling climate change. With more than three decades of experience in public administration and community-level governance, she brings extensive knowledge of climate justice, inclusive economic development and urban resilience to the international alliance. Throughout her career, she has held important leadership responsibilities, including chairing standing committees responsible for Public Works and Health. She was also part of the political leadership team at Kochi Municipal Corporation that supported the preparation of the city’s Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. As Mayor of Kochi, Minimol has prioritised climate-resilient urban planning, environmentally sustainable transport and governance policies that promote gender equality and inclusive participation.

“As mayor of Kochi, I have a deep understanding of the vulnerabilities and the innovative potential of cities in the Global South. Cities are leading the transition toward a low-emission future, and as a member of the GCoM Board, I am eager to bring my perspective to ensure that global climate strategies are both equitable and representative of diverse urban realities,” said V.K. Minimol, Mayor of Kochi, India. “Climate goals are best met when local, regional, and national policies are in sync, and I look forward to strengthening collaboration with multi-level organizations and enhancing access to climate finance.”

Mayor Claudio Castro joins the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Board with a decade of experience advancing climate initiatives in Renca and across Chile. During his leadership, Renca achieved the permanent shutdown of a thermoelectric power plant that had operated for 62 years and oversaw the planting of more than 85,000 trees in Cerros de Renca Metropolitan Park. His administration has introduced projects addressing climate adaptation, nature-based environmental solutions and cleaner energy systems, while promoting innovative approaches to institutional cooperation and climate financing. Among these initiatives is La Fábrica de Renca, a municipal corporation dedicated to local economic development and innovation that helps the municipality establish productive partnerships with public and private organisations. Castro also serves on the CHAMP Subnational Advisory Council and has supported Renca’s participation in the Urban Transitions Mission and the OECD Champion Mayors programme, strengthening the city’s involvement in international sustainability and urban development initiatives.

“In Renca, we have built a climate agenda that links mitigation, adaptation and energy to territorial justice and social cohesion. In a region facing structural drought, extreme heat and unequal access to green spaces, we have shown that climate action is also a policy of equity.” said Claudio Castro, Mayor of Renca, Chile. “As a GCoM Board Member, I will work to expand access to climate finance for Latin American cities, so that the nature-based solutions and projects our cities already have can finally be funded.”

Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk, brings extensive experience in European city diplomacy and international municipal networks to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Board. She has promoted a comprehensive approach to climate action that combines emissions reduction, climate adaptation and improved access to affordable, clean energy. Her leadership has supported initiatives covering sustainable transport, air pollution reduction, waste management, water security, urban green spaces and energy efficiency, with an emphasis on long-term planning and cooperation among stakeholders. As a member of the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) within the European Committee of the Regions, Dulkiewicz contributes to discussions and legislative processes concerning the role of cities in achieving the European Union’s climate and energy objectives. Under her administration, Gdańsk has emerged as a Polish leader in blue-green infrastructure, developing one of the country’s most advanced rainwater retention systems. The city’s innovative approach to sustainable water management also gained international recognition, receiving second prize at the 2025 MERLIN Innovation Awards.

“I am honored to serve on the Board of GCoM, an initiative that embodies the collective leadership of cities advancing ambitious, locally driven climate action worldwide. Local governments play an essential role in safeguarding the well-being of our communities and building long-term urban resilience,” said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk, Poland. “I am fully committed to advancing GCoM’s mission and contributing our region’s experience to foster scalable, inclusive climate solutions across the global network.”

The new appointments arrive at a pivotal time when national governments are placing greater emphasis on the role of cities and local authorities in responding to the global climate crisis. As members of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Board, Mayors V.K. Minimol, Claudio Castro and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz will work to strengthen regional cooperation and expand engagement with participating municipalities. Their responsibilities will include supporting thousands of cities and local governments worldwide in establishing ambitious climate targets, introducing practical solutions that can be replicated across different regions and securing essential financial resources. Through these efforts, the three leaders will help transform long-term climate commitments into measurable environmental progress and meaningful improvements for urban communities.