Patricia Espinosa Cantellano

Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano is the former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Mexico, former UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Executive Secretary, and is the current CEO and Founding Partner of onepoint5, a consultancy providing advice on policies, strategies, and actions to grasp the opportunities arising in the transition to a more sustainable world.

Joining the Mexican Foreign Service in 1981, Patricia was in charge of economic issues at the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva. Following this, she was Chief of Staff for the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Patricia was elected President of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, where she was a significant figure in the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women. Between 2001 and 2006, Patricia served as an Ambassador for Mexico in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as well as for United Nations organisations in Vienna. She was then the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Government of Mexico before returning to the position of Ambassador of Mexico for Germany. As Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, Patricia played a key role in the adoption of the Paris Agreement Rulebook.

Over her 35 years of experience, Patricia has been a member of various boards and groups, including the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the 2030 Agenda, the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice, OECD Advisory Group, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy board, Commissioner at the Global Commission of Adaptation, and a consultative group for the InsuResilience Global Partnership. She founded the Berlin-Bonn chapter of the International Gender Champions and was awarded the status of Ambassador Emeritus of Mexico, the highest honour given to five outstanding individuals. Patricia was also awarded the German Sustainability Prize, the Sustainability Prize by the Saxon Hans-Carl von Carlowitz Society, and has been decorated by numerous governments.

Specialising in sustainability, economic green growth, multilateralism, environmental stewardship, gender equality, and the protection of human rights, Patricia is an inspirational force for good. Tirelessly driving global efforts to address climate change, she is one of the world’s most influential and experienced leaders in pursuing a sustainable and resilient future for humanity. Patrice tirelessly fights for prosperity and well-being across all nations and is keen to demonstrate this with audiences, emboldening listeners to consciously and positively impact our earth.