The first heads of state who confirmed their attendance at COP16 in Colombia

Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo He highlighted that the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16, which will be held in Colombia) “will have the participation of heads of government“, the first confirmed being those of Brazil, Panama, Honduras, Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.

“For us, COP16 is a commitment of the State and society, and the agenda this week will witness the hard work that has been prepared.“, Murillo stressed.

(See: Call for applications is open for 3,000 young people who want to teach at COP16).

For its part, UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker He stressed that “Colombia is taking a step forward and demonstrating what it means to protect biodiversity” and that, after a successful COP15 – held two years ago in Canada – in which an important agreement was reached, the Kunming-Montreal global framework, COP16 must be an accelerator for taking action.

In this sense, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, He explained that this international summit will seek to “making decisions to support the Kunming-Montreal framework” and create the implementation mechanisms necessary to meet the established objectives.

(See: Bill filed seeking to exempt VAT at COP16).

Security

Another of the issues addressed by the officials was the security of COP16, after doubts about the increase in violence in the southwest of the country, although the foreign minister reiterated: “We give the country the assurance of security at COP16“.

In addition, a UN representative signed the agreement, a memorandum of commitment on the comprehensive security plan for the summit. During COP16, the security of the Blue Zone -where high-level negotiations and institutional events will take place- is entirely the responsibility of the UN, while the Green Zone will have mixed security between the United Nations and the Colombian Government.

(See: Details of the agenda that Colombia is preparing for COP16).

Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez insisted that “Security for COP16 is guaranteed. From the very beginning, it has been a constant concern on the part of the National Government.“.

During a political control debate called by the Second Commission of the House of Representatives, the head of the Defense portfolio explained that The security strategy for COP16 involves more than 11,000 uniformed members of the Military Forces and Police, to ensure the peace of mind of the 18,000 or so attendees expected.

In that sense, he said that 1,540 security cameras, 12 drones and 3 SWAT special operations teams made up of 120 police officers will monitor Cali, the venue for the event.

(See: Colombia advances in final details of security and logistics ahead of COP16).

EFE