Colombia's Opening Statement

This statement, delivered by Colombia at the 11th annual subcommittee meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP, welcomes delegates and thanks UNEP leadership for organizing this meeting. It recalls that COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Colombia under the theme “Peace with Nature,” emphasizing reconciling humanity and environment and protecting strategic ecosystems. The statement highlights Indigenous Peoples, People of African Descent, and local communities as custodians of biodiversity.