COP16: colombian mayors call for unity against deforestation caused by illegal economies

As part of the United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), currently taking place in Cali, some of the country's mayors met to discuss the impact of illegal economies, such as illegal mining and illicit crops, on the loss of biodiversity affecting the planet and Colombia in particular.

The event, organized by the Mayor's Office of Santiago de Cali, was attended by the mayors of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán; Medellín, Federico Gutierrez; Manizales, Jorge Eduardo Rojas; Cartagena, Dumek Turbay Paez; Bucaramanga, Jaime Andrés Beltrán; Valledupar, Ernesto Miguel Orozco; Florencia, Marlón Monsalve; and Mocoa, Carlos Hugo Piedrahita.

"The illegal economy is a problem that affects all fronts: climate change, biodiversity, access to water. The main contribution that Colombia has to make in the world, in the fight against climate change, has to be the fight against deforestation, and especially what has happened with coca crops," said the mayor of Bogotá.

He added that unfortunately on this specific issue, the United Nations figures indicate that in 2023 the country will reach historic figures in of hectares for cocaine production. "We have a higher potential for cocaine production than ever before in history. What does that mean for us? Criminal activity, criminal groups, and it affects us in of climate change and biodiversity protection. In Bogotá we are committed, but this is a very strong signal for the mayors to raise our voices and say that we have to work together in this country, especially in the fight against deforestation," Galán said in his speech.

A point echoed by Federico Gutierrez: "They are invading our watersheds through illegal mining, destroying rivers and entire communities. One of the biggest challenges we have is water," said the mayor of Medellin, who also referred to the challenges the city he leads faces in growing, but above all in doing so in a sustainable way.

For his part, the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Éder, said, "We cannot bring the whole planet and not talk about the main threat, such as the illegal economy. The mayor of Cali recalled the words he has spoken in recent months, prior to COP16, about criminal gangs and drug trafficking, but also about illegal gold mining, which has devastated the Farallones through the use of chemicals. He claimed that "14,000 hectares are plagued by illegal mining and 1,000 hectares have been destroyed" in this national natural park. "From day one, we said we were going to close the mines, and we started. We have closed half of them and by the end of November all the mines will be closed.

He also noted that 100 Carabineros police officers have been sent to the Farallones this year to fight illegal mining. He also announced a research center for the Peñas Blancas district, in the town of Pichindé, where the El Socorro mines are located and where there are still active tunnels.

ENVIRONMENT AND CALI EDITORS