2024-10-30 05:02:00
With heads of state in attendance, the High-Level Segment of COP16 kicked off next Tuesday in the blue zone of the event.
The final day of the event began with the official installation of that item, in which the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and six other heads of state participated, including the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro.
Likewise, five foreign ministers, 114 ministers, 33 deputy ministers, 25 high-level representatives and 81 organizations, agencies and NGOs from 150 countries participated.
The above represents a representation of 76% of the members in the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The president of COP16, the Minister of the Environment of Colombia, Susana Muhamad, stated that the presence of the heads of state at this event raises the level of political debate at COP16 on biodiversity.
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The High Level Segment will set the course for biodiversity negotiations in the coming days.
Cali, the host of the conference, was at the center of a global call for concrete action to address climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution.
The assistants
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, attended the event; United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres; The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Luis Gilberto Murillo; and Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development and President of COP16, Susana Muhamad.
International leaders also included the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan; President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; The President of Guinea-Bissau, Úmaro Sissoco Embaló; President of the Transitional Council of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Leslie Voltaire; President of Suriname, Chan Satokhi; Vice President of Bolivia, David Choquehuanca; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Alexandra Hill Tinoco; and Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs in Venezuela, Yvan Gil.
Climate crisis
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro said that “the COP16 in Cali, the COP30 in Belén de Pará must be decisive turning points when we do not continue doing the same thing. Who believes, to solve a problem the size of the climate crisis, which is the pollution of the entire planet’s atmosphere by the greedy factories, it will be solved with the same old methods?
Petro also highlighted the essence of the event in Cali as a summit of the people and as a symbol of the change that is being demanded of the planet by expressing that “here we are surrounded by the joy and warmth of the people. We wanted it to be that way. “We wanted the people to embrace the COP because the people of the world need to make decisions about a global revolution, and that’s what we really want.”
For his part, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, gave a strong speech in which he described the global environmental crisis as a “war against nature” and emphasized the urgent need for harmony with our planet restoration and in which countries were urged to make a presentation. clear plans for alignment with global conservation goals and encourage the mobilization of financial resources, not only from public sources, but also from the private sector.
Guterres emphasized that “Biodiversity is our ally; We have to go from sacrificing it to preserving it.”
With this meeting, the leaders hope to lay the foundations for a sustainable future, strengthening commitments to adaptation, mitigation and financing, fundamental pillars to address the environmental challenges facing the world.
At the end of the meeting, the president of COP16, Susana Muhamad, indicated that these were the first heads of state to come to a biodiversity convention.
He added that “this is not trivial, because this is no longer an issue for conservationists or ecologists or environmentalists, it is an issue that must go to the center of public policy by governments and the world, and its presence raises the level . the biodiversity COP is a political debate, and it was also one of the objectives of hosting this event.”
Muhammad added that biodiversity and the recovery of life, hand in hand with the people, is as important as a simultaneous political objective of decarbonisation and the energy transition, despite the fact that this is not immediately profitable, because it does not involve with profitability. but human security in the 21st century.
Opinions
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Interview between Time.news Editor and COP16 Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, everyone! Today, we have a distinguished guest, Dr. Maria Verano, an expert in environmental policy and international negotiations, who has just returned from COP16 in Cali, Colombia. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Verano!
Dr. Maria Verano: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Time.news Editor: COP16 garnered significant attention this year, especially with so many high-profile leaders in attendance. Can you tell us about the atmosphere at the event?
Dr. Maria Verano: Absolutely! The atmosphere was buzzing with a sense of urgency and optimism. The presence of world leaders, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, underscored the importance of this summit. President Petro’s call for a “global revolution” really resonated with attendees, setting an encouraging tone for the discussions on biodiversity and climate action.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of President Petro, he made a strong statement regarding the need for a change in how we approach the climate crisis. What did you think of his remarks?
Dr. Maria Verano: His speech was strikingly candid. He emphasized that traditional methods will not suffice to tackle the enormous challenges posed by climate change and pollution. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among many leaders and activists who believe that we cannot continue with business as usual. He wants to mobilize the public to be part of this movement, which I think is pivotal in creating momentum for real change.
Time.news Editor: The High-Level Segment saw participation from an impressive number of countries and organizations. How do you see this diversity influencing the negotiations?
Dr. Maria Verano: The sheer representation—76% of the members of the Convention on Biological Diversity—demonstrates a powerful collective will to address biodiversity loss. This diversity brings a variety of perspectives, especially from nations that face significant ecological challenges. When countries collaborate and share solutions, it enhances the negotiations, making them more likely to generate innovative and effective strategies.
Time.news Editor: This event happens against a backdrop of a global environmental crisis described by Guterres as a “war against nature.” What does this metaphor signify for you in terms of urgency?
Dr. Maria Verano: Guterres’s metaphor is quite profound. It signals that we are at a critical juncture where inaction could lead to irreversible harm. This ‘war’ suggests a need for aggressive and immediate action, rather than delayed or piecemeal approaches. It reinforces the idea that the climate crisis is not just an abstract issue; it’s a fight for survival that demands a united front and radical changes.
Time.news Editor: Given all the discussions around climate change and biodiversity, what kind of outcomes can we expect from COP16?
Dr. Maria Verano: It’s hard to say definitively, but the High-Level Segment has set the stage for robust negotiations in the following days. I anticipate we will see concrete commitments aimed at enhancing biodiversity protections, as well as plans for integrating local communities into these efforts—just as President Petro emphasized. There is also likely to be a push for innovative financing mechanisms to support developing nations in addressing these critical issues.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, how can everyday individuals contribute to this movement for change that COP16 is encouraging?
Dr. Maria Verano: That’s a great question! Individuals can contribute by advocating for sustainable practices in their communities, supporting organizations working on environmental issues, and staying informed about policy changes. Importantly, people should also engage with their local representatives to demand stronger environmental protections. The summit is about building a broad coalition of support, and every voice counts in this urgent effort.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Verano, for your insights. It sounds like COP16 is more than just a conference – it’s a turning point for our planet.
Dr. Maria Verano: Exactly! Let’s hope the momentum continues beyond the conference halls and truly translates into impactful action.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us, and thank you to our readers for tuning in! Let’s keep advocating for a brighter, greener future.