The Chilean president, Sebastian Piñera, announced that the head of the Spanish government had proposed to him to organize the great conference on the climate in Madrid and on the same dates, from December 2 to 13.
The Spanish government has proposed to host the international climate conference COP25 in Madrid in December instead of Chile, which had to give up because of the social crisis in the country, Madrid and Santiago announced on Thursday (October 31st). .
The Chilean President, Sebastian Piñera, announced that the head of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez had "Generously proposed to hold the COP25 in Madrid on the same dates as this conference was scheduled in Chile, from 2 to 13 December" next. The services of the Spanish Government Presidency confirmed this information.
The statement underlines that Pedro Sanchez, who is preparing for new legislative elections on November 10, made this proposal "Given the short time available and the importance of ensuring that COP25 is held normally"after ten months of preparation. "We hope that the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties can review this proposed solution as soon as possible"The UN's executive secretary for climate change, Patricia Espinosa, said in a statement.
Bonn, the other alternative
If the Spanish proposal was not finally retained, the city of Bonn, former capital of West Germany, could serve as an alternative. Bonn, which hosted the COP in 2017 and is home to the UN Climate Change headquarters, is "Always happy to host international conferences"Monika Hörig, spokesman for the city, told AFP.
About 25,000 delegates, including young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were expected in Santiago from 2 to 13 December for COP25. Chile had volunteered after the withdrawal of Brazil, which had given up in the wake of the election of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-skeptical assumed. The UN had announced Wednesday that it "Studied alternatives" to host the COP25.
Chipped image
The Chilean president announced Wednesday that his country, struggling with a social protest that does not weaken, renounced to host the COP25 and the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), which brings together the Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, China and Russia, which was scheduled to take place in Santiago on 16 and 17 November.
The cancellation of both summits has dealt a blow to the image of Chile, considered one of the most stable countries in Latin America but shaken since October 18 by an unprecedented social fronde, which has killed 20 and a thousand wounded, according to the latest official report. Spain, on the other hand, risks being still trying to form a government, with polls not promising any party an absolute majority.
