Mexico concluded its participation at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos by presenting a cohesive strategy aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) through sustainability mandates. The delegation, spearheaded by Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Alicia Bárcena and Altagracia Gómez, coordinator of the Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Relocation (CADERR), used the global stage to promote import substitution and job creation aligned with environmental objectives.
Central to the pitch was 'Plan México,' a development blueprint designed to provide global business leaders with clarity on the nation’s environmental priorities and circular economy initiatives. Minister Bárcena emphasized that the government's objective was to translate global interest into tangible capital deployment, noting significant early traction in sectors focused on resource efficiency and waste valorization.
Investor interest appears concentrated around two key governmental frameworks: the Poles of Economic Development for Well-Being (PODECOBIS) and the Poles of Circular Economy Development for Well-Being (PODECIBIS). These initiatives offer investors clearly demarcated operational bases, mitigating regulatory uncertainty—a crucial factor for multinational corporations seeking stable nearshoring locations post-pandemic supply chain disruptions.
Minister Bárcena confirmed that this engagement has yielded immediate results, announcing that a delegation comprising approximately 100 executives from international firms specializing in green technology and circular practices is scheduled to visit Mexico in March. This visit is intended to finalize opportunities emerging from the Davos discussions, signaling a rapid follow-up on investment commitments.
From a policy standpoint, Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to aggressive climate action, including safeguarding 30% of its national territory by 2030. Furthermore, the administration is pivoting sharply away from linear consumption models, explicitly targeting the expansion of circular economy frameworks for challenging waste streams such as plastics, construction debris, and tires, framing waste as a misplaced resource.
Bilateral engagements underscored the strategic nature of the outreach. Meetings with figures like Marcus Wallenberg (SEB Group) addressed green transition financing, while discussions with Peter Thomson (UN Special Envoy for the Oceans) focused on marine conservation. Crucially, talks with Bart Sap (Umicore) explored potential collaborations within Mexico's nascent circular economy parks.
Altagracia Gómez reinforced the need for policy synchronization, advocating for the alignment of industrial and trade policies with Mexico’s inherent natural and logistical advantages to ensure investment-led growth translates into high-quality employment and shared prosperity.
Source: Adapted from information originally published by Mexicobusiness.News.