The statement from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development said that the event will include several forums such as the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties under the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties acting as Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biotechnology Safety, among others.

Upon learning of the designation, the country’s president, Gustavo Petro, celebrated it in his X account, and said: “We will host the COP16 on Biodiversity next year”.

He also stated that delegations from almost 200 countries will come to Colombia in defense of life on the planet. .

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, pointed out that this will be a great opportunity for one of the most biodiverse nations in the world.

She praised the commitment of President Petro, and the whole country, to preserve ecosystems, as well as the possibility of sending a message from Latin America about the importance of climate action and the protection of life.

The Secretariat is pleased to have the Government of Colombia host COP 16.

Colombia is the home of a tremendous biodiversity, is an inspiring example of how to interact with indigenous peoples and local communities, and is at the forefront of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,’said David Cooper, interim executive secretary of the Convention.

COP 16, to be held between October 21st. and November 1st. 2024, will be the first of its kind after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15, held in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.

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