In conversation with the Ambassador of Mexico to the UK, Josefa Gonzales Blanco Ortiz Mena
Written by Jesus Bernardo De Luna Ruiz
Speaker Bio: Josefa González Blanco Ortiz Mena is Mexico's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She is a former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico with a long track record of promoting social and cultural projects and a strong advocate for environmental protection and wildlife conservation. Ambassador González Blanco earned a law degree from Universidad Anáhuac and a master's degree in transformational arts from John F. Kennedy University. She participated in academic courses at the Centre for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies in Paris, France.
At the end of 2023, Mexico and the United Kingdom celebrated 200 years of diplomatic relations in a context in which both countries are conducting efforts to improve their ties. Mexico's strategic location and productive integration in the North American region reaffirm its great potential to position itself as a key partner of the United Kingdom. In 2023 alone, trade between the two countries increased by 22% compared to the previous year.
During the conversation held at King's, Ambassador Gonzales Blanco emphasised the crucial role of cultural exchange, education, and trade in strengthening diplomatic relations. She shared, as an example, the fascinating history of the Real Del Monte region, a mountain town in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo, where migrant miners from Cornwall in the UK arrived in 1825. Their presence led to the creation of the "paste", an adaptation of the famous Cornish Pasty, which went on to become a popular typical dish of Hidalgo. The arrival of English miners also introduced football, which would eventually grow to become the most cherished sport in Mexico, further strengthening our shared cultural experiences. These potentials for cultural exchange continue today and can be supported.
Blanco stressed that Mexican students play a significant role in promoting the best of Mexico's culture within the university community and continuing work with the UK government to facilitate Mexican students studying abroad. Similarly, she mentioned the relevance of British students conducting academic stays in Mexican universities to strengthen cultural bonds.
Blanco went on to highlight the ongoing negotiations for a new trade agreement and the great potential for cooperation in sustainable and technological projects, citing the Sonora Plan, a large clean energy park in northern Mexico. This ambitious initiative aims to address the high demand for clean energy from the productive ecosystem in the south of the US, presenting a noteworthy opportunity for the United Kingdom to contribute with its expertise.
On the second day of her visit, the Ambassador talked with members of the Mexican community residing in Cambridge, who shared their professional projects, academic interests, and experiences in the UK. The community discussed successful entrepreneurship initiatives and groundbreaking research projects in physics, engineering, chemistry, social sciences, and medicine. The Ambassador recognised the importance of having multidisciplinary talent to carry out ambitious initiatives and committed to continuing to support the community through the work of the Embassy.
Jesus Bernardo De Luna Ruiz
Bernardo De Luna is studying an MPhil in Public Policy at the University of Cambridge and is a member of Lucy Cavendish College. His work explores the dynamics of digital regulatory frameworks and the role of international trade in the diffusion of emerging technologies. Bernardo has previously worked in the public sector at the local, national, and international levels including with The Cyber Policy Dialogue for the Americas and Flint Global.