ZAPOTEC INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION AT UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CONFERENCES

Betzabeth Martínez Gutiérrez, a young woman from the Zapotec Indigenous community and a graduate of UNAM’s School of Accounting, has been selected to participate in United Nations conferences on climate change.

“Being both a woman and Indigenous means facing twice the challenges. We encounter significant obstacles when trying to leave our communities and pursue higher education,” Betzabeth shared, embodying perseverance in an environment filled with barriers.

Participating in United Nations  conferences had been a long-held dream for Betzabeth. After being shortlisted for an interview in January, she received the long-anticipated news in March: “It was 1:30 in the morning when I got the news, and I couldn’t believe it. I felt joy, apprehension, and immense satisfaction for all my invested effort,” she recalled.

Among the 12 young Latin Americans selected, she was the only representative from Mexico, an honor she approached with great responsibility. “I never imagined I would achieve this. Representing Mexico at the United Nations is a significant challenge, but I’m ready to contribute my unique perspective,” she said.

The fellowship enables her to attend the conferences as an observer. The first session took place from June 3 to 13 in Germany, and the second is scheduled for November in Azerbaijan. Her participation will focus on examining how climate change affects Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, which are among the most vulnerable to environmental crises.