Santiago, 23 April 2022 (TDI): The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) celebrated international Earth day on the last day of COP1.
The first conference of parties (COP1) to the Escazu Agreement is a three-day conference held in Santiago, Chile.
The conference featured several side events along with the main proceedings. The conference commenced on 20th April and ended on 22nd April.
The leaders of regional countries, delegations from several regional organizations, NGO representatives, and indigenous leaders participated in COP1.
Escazu Agreement is officially known as “The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation, and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean.” It entered into force on April 22, 2021.
COP1 Summit
The Chilean President Gabriel Boric opened the summit with five other delegates. He remarked that the Global South must have a single voice vis-à-vis the developed countries because climate justice is essential in confronting the crisis.
Meanwhile, the delegates discussed the “actions taken at the national level by the State Parties and activities carried out by the secretariat”.
Likewise, many officials participated in a special session dealing with the effective implementation of the Escazu Agreement. Similarly, the parties to the Agreement called for joint action to promote the region’s first environmental treaty.
Furthermore, on the second day, the participating countries addressed the COP’s rules of procedure. They discussed:
(1) the modalities for significant participation by the public,
(2) and the rules relating to the structure and functions of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance.
Moreover, they discussed the financial provisions that are necessary for the functioning and implementation of the Agreement.
Finally, the participants celebrated the first anniversary of the Escazu Agreement and Earth Day’s entry into force. Both events fell on 23rd April, the last day of the conference.
In addition, The ECLAC and the UN Human Rights Commission signed a collaboration agreement. They agreed to promote access to information, public participation, and Justice in Environmental Matters.
