Colombia’s COP16 Presidency in Question Following Minister’s Resignation

Susana Muhamad has resigned as Colombia’s Minister of Environment, casting doubt on her role as president of COP16. She requests to stay in her position during the negotiations in Rome. Her resignation, amid political turmoil and opposition to Armando Benedetti’s appointment, may impact key discussions on biodiversity funding and monitoring at the summit.

The presidency of COP16 in Colombia faces uncertainty following the resignation of Susana Muhamad, who has been serving as the Minister of Environment since 2022. Although she has stepped down from her ministerial position, she has requested to remain as president of the COP16 UN biodiversity negotiations to finish the discussions scheduled for February 25 to 27 in Rome. In her resignation letter, Muhamad highlighted her commitment to concluding COP16 and mentioned that her resignation could be effective from March 3 if deemed necessary.

Muhamad has publicly opposed the appointment of Armando Benedetti as chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro, citing concerns regarding allegations of domestic abuse and corruption against Benedetti. During a recent council of ministers meeting, she expressed her discontent, stating, “As a feminist and as a woman, I cannot sit at this table of our progressive project with Armando Benedetti,” and threatened her resignation should he remain. Her outspoken stance underscores her commitment to feminist principles.

Veteran biodiversity campaigner Oscar Soria expressed concerns that Muhamad’s resignation may hinder the COP16 talks, noting that her leadership was crucial for effective diplomatic engagement leading up to the negotiations. He emphasized that some vital topics have not been adequately addressed during her tenure due to the ongoing political turmoil within the Colombian government, which has diverted attention from crucial negotiation preparation.

In response to Muhamad’s resignation, several other ministers have followed suit, which compelled President Petro to request all cabinet members to submit their resignations. This collective action raises questions about the level of support Muhamad can rely on when negotiating with international counterparts. The imminent COP16 biodiversity negotiations are critical, particularly concerning funding for nature and establishing a framework to monitor ecological restoration efforts.

Key decisions at COP16 include discussions about the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) and the need for a new fund due to existing barriers within the Global Environment Facility. Observers assert that COP16 could significantly influence future biodiversity financing, particularly amid cuts to climate and nature project funding by the new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump. Activists underscore the importance of reaffirming commitments to biodiversity preservation in light of these challenges.

In summary, Susana Muhamad’s resignation as Colombia’s Environment Minister has stirred uncertainty around her presidency of COP16. Despite her intention to complete the UN negotiations, significant concerns linger about internal political issues affecting the upcoming talks. As her leadership is called into question amid broader political unrest, the stakes for biodiversity finance at COP16 remain high, necessitating robust international commitments to conservation efforts.

Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com