Unveiling Indigenous Perspectives on the Maya Train

On International Day of Indigenous Peoples, celebrated on August 9th, a collaborative conversation was held by the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (FONATUR), the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). The discussion titled "Voices of Indigenous Peoples and the Maya Train" aimed to strengthen dialogue with community leaders in the region and highlight the participation of the Indigenous population.

The conversation was focused on the Maya Train project, a development initiative in the region. It aimed to ensure the voices, needs, and contributions of the Indigenous population were incorporated into the project. A significant emphasis was placed on the involvement of indigenous women at all stages of the project and the expertise required for railway infrastructure implementation.

The discussion was designed to foster understanding of the community leaders' vision and stance on the Maya Train project. It aimed to provide insight into how the project is perceived from a community and participatory perspective.

In addition, the dialogue sought to outline how the initiative contributes to the Mexican State's efforts to achieve the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, from the perspective of indigenous peoples and communities.

The event was conducted via the @TrenMayaOficial profile and was attended by key figures including Manuel Santiago Quijano, Director of Strategic Management and Institutional Liaison of Fonatur, and Adelfo Regino Montes, Director of INPI.

Manuel Santiago Quijano stated, "The Maya Train will pay off a historical debt with the indigenous peoples and communities of the southeast of the country. The commitment of the Mexican Government is to design and build the future that we want for the region with indigenous peoples."

Adelfo Regino Montes added, "The project must implement the development visions of the peoples of the region. From this communion of ideas, we can put a stop to the poverty that has affected the region."

Fernando Cotrim Barbieri, Director of UNOPS in Mexico, emphasized, "It is important that the voices and claims of the indigenous peoples in the context of the Maya Train are heard, especially listening to the voices of women for their leadership and their capacities to be agents of change."

Eduardo López Moreno, Director of UN-Habitat in Mexico, concluded by saying, "The Maya Train project should be a comprehensive development project that not only addresses needs but also maximizes comparative advantages, empowers indigenous communities, strengthens the social fabric and integrates territories."