Cali (Valle del Cauca), October 14, 2024 – On behalf of the Government of Colombia, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, officially handed over the Blue Zone to the United Nations in a symbolic act where the flag of this international organization was raised in the company of Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the local authorities of Valle del Cauca.
The United Nations flag at the Valle del Pacífico Events Center, venue of the Blue Zone, is an unprecedented event in Colombia that symbolizes that this space becomes an international territory of peace among the countries of the world attending the COP16.
“From this moment on, the Pacific Valley Events Center becomes an area of international jurisdiction to generate the guarantees for this important negotiation,” said the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad.
Likewise, Muhamad explained that “the blue flag of the United Nations implies that Colombia becomes the host of the world for this great discussion, for this fundamental search, to safeguard all forms of life, not only human life, because understanding that if we safeguard all forms of life, we are safeguarding ourselves, we erect the principle of Peace with Nature, but that also means the search for peace among peoples”.
The Blue Zone, located in this event center, is the space for negotiations between the countries of the world to make decisions on the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
The Minister also assured that she hopes that this event will be a beacon of light for Peace with Nature and world peace. “We welcome from Colombia with open arms all indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, peasants, environmental activists, civil society, international organizations and of course the government delegations so that in a broad, democratic and participatory process we can jointly seek these proposals for peace with nature,” she mentioned.
In this area, the United Nations assumes full responsibility for the event center facilities, where official negotiations between country delegations and international organizations will take place from October 21 to November 1. Key decisions on the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be taken in this space and conferences will be held among relevant stakeholders.
By the way, Secretary Astrid Schomaker said that “one of the successes of this COP is that all delegates feel at home; I believe that you have done everything possible to ensure that this is the case”.
In addition, Schomaker thanked Minister Susana Muhamad: “You have done a tireless job in this work to move COP16 forward. It has been a pleasure to work with you in the preparations to make it a success.
With the protocolary act of raising the flag of the United Nations (UN) at the Valle del Pacífico Events Center, the Government of Colombia officially handed over the administration of this space to the international organization for the COP16.
Record turnout for this United Nations event
Muhamad confirmed that this COP has broken all records in the history of biodiversity summits: to date, the participation of 14 heads of state, more than 100 environment ministers, 140 delegations and 18,000 people accredited to the Blue Zone has been confirmed.
The Blue Zone is the formal space for conferences and negotiations managed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a United Nations body. It is the venue for all official sessions, meetings, side events and press conferences of the Parties during COP16. Only participants accredited by the CBD are admitted to this space.
The Colombia Pavilion will also be located here, where different panels and activities will take place, focusing on the voices of citizens, their initiatives and projects.
Minister Susana Muhamad assured that she expects Colombia to be a beacon of light for Peace with Nature and world peace.
For the security of the Blue Zone, a team has been deployed through different security rings that will be managed by UN personnel in compliance with diplomatic regulations, and by the National Police and the Army, which will ensure access control to the perimeter. More than 800 uniformed personnel and SWAT certified teams of the National Police will be in charge of controlling the entrance to the Blue Zone, operating the security filters and securing the areas surrounding the Valle del Pacífico Events Center.
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