Representatives from the British Embassy for Guatemala and Honduras visit CATIE in Honduras to strengthen cooperation ties

• British Embassy acknowledges progress of the MAF-Ganadería-HN project as a regional example in climate action and just energy transition

The National Office of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) in Honduras received the official visit of representatives from the British Embassy for Guatemala and Honduras on May 16, as part of a meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation ties and learning firsthand about the progress of the project Transforming the Honduran Livestock Sector into a Low-Carbon Economy (MAF-Ganadería-HN).

The British delegation was composed of Eduardo Smith, Political Officer at the Embassy in Central America, and Mitchell Lloyd, official of the United Kingdom’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Emissions. They were welcomed by Edwin García, CATIE's representative in Honduras, and Juan Carlos Flores, coordinator of the MAF-Ganadería-HN project.

During the meeting, the progress of the MAF-Ganadería-HN project was presented. This project is implemented in Honduras by CATIE and its national partners and funded by the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF). It has been identified by the United Kingdom as a model case in the region for its focus on productive sustainability, climate action, and its contribution to a just energy transition.

The delegation expressed its satisfaction with the project’s achievements and showed interest in exploring new opportunities for collaboration, including the potential participation of CATIE in future regional initiatives led by the United Kingdom, such as the fight against climate change and the promotion of economic opportunities through free trade and sustainable investments.
In addition to the project’s achievements, the discussion highlighted CATIE’s impact on the sustainable development of the region, emphasizing its work in its three strategic pillars: education, research, and outreach.

It is worth noting that Mr. Lloyd has an outstanding background in international energy policy, having been part of the UK presidency team at the COP and led international coal transition processes, always with a focus on just transition and international trade.

This visit aligns with the United Kingdom's efforts to promote clean energy and support initiatives that strengthen climate resilience in countries like Honduras, as recently expressed in their official statement,“United Kingdom promotes the development of clean energy in Honduras,” which underscores the importance of partnerships with local and international stakeholders to address the region’s environmental and energy challenges.