Argentina’s top environmental official, Ana Lamas, resigned, becoming the 121st official to leave President Javier Milei’s administration. Her resignation is linked to personal exhaustion and criticisms over her management of public funds amid ongoing forest fires. Fernando Jorge Brom is set to replace her, while the administration explores potential withdrawal from the Paris climate accords and faces internal uncertainties.
In a significant move, Ana Lamas, Argentina’s top environmental official, resigned from her position as Environment Undersecretary amidst ongoing forest fires and the government’s controversial consideration of withdrawing from the Paris climate accords. Lamas submitted her resignation to Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos, emphasizing her decision stemmed from personal exhaustion and clarifying that there was no conflict with her colleagues. She becomes the 121st official to leave President Javier Milei’s administration since its inception 13 months ago.
Lamas, who assumed her role at the start of President Milei’s term in December 2023, faced mounting criticism regarding her management of public funds, particularly for not adequately prioritizing resources to combat the severe forest fires affecting southern Argentina. Her responsibilities included navigating challenges associated with environmental policies against the backdrop of Milei’s administration exploring a potential withdrawal from global climate agreements. Amidst her tenure, she was involved in a controversial directive to withdraw Argentina’s delegation from the COP29 Climate Change Conference.
In light of her resignation, Fernando Jorge Brom has been confirmed as her successor. Brom, who is already a member of the Cabinet Office, met with Tourism, Environment, and Sports Secretary Daniel Scioli prior to officially assuming his new role. Sources suggest that Lamas’s departure might lead to further resignations within the environmental portfolio, as the department has faced issues including high vacancy rates in key positions.
Despite announcing her resignation, Lamas intends to ensure that essential administrative matters, like processing salaries and import/export permits, are resolved before her departure is consummated. This commitment underscores her dedication to maintaining operational continuity within the Environment Department during a period marked by uncertainty and challenges to vital environmental commitments.
The environmental leadership vacuum following Lamas’s resignation may complicate Argentina’s obligations under international climate agreements, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly as the government signals a distancing from established environmental policies and initiatives.
Ana Lamas’s resignation marks a pivotal shift within Argentina’s environmental leadership, reflecting broader challenges faced by President Milei’s administration. With ongoing environmental crises and criticism of management practices, the appointment of Fernando Jorge Brom as her successor will be crucial for navigating future commitments to climate agreements. The potential for further resignations within the environmental sector signals a turbulent period for the administration as it reassesses its stance on key international accords regarding climate change.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
