, President-Designate of COP26, is visiting Bolivia
today to stress the urgent action needed from all countries ahead
of the crucial climate change summit in Glasgow, United Kingdom
this November.
The visit follows Bolivia’s participation in critical climate
talks last week, where Mr Sharma brought 50 countries together in
London, resulting in a renewed common mission for climate action.
Mr Sharma will underline the key COP goal of getting the finance
flowing to climate action, which at last week’s July Ministerial
meeting saw Germany and Canada agree to take forward a delivery
plan for mobilising the $100bn a year from developed countries
that is so critically needed to help others in their fight
against climate change.
In Bolivia, Mr Sharma will meet President Luis Arce and
Vice-president David Choquehuanca. He will also visit a local
community in the Amazon region of Santa Cruz, and speak to
indigenous community leaders, young people and grass-root
organisations.
Ahead of the visit, Mr Sharma said:
I am delighted to be visiting Bolivia and Brazil this week, after
both countries took part in the ministerial meeting I hosted in
London last week for 50 countries.
During my visit I am keen to learn what both countries need, to
help them come forward with climate action plans that are
ambitious and keep the goal of limiting temperature rises to 1.5C
alive.
And of course, to discuss how we can protect the Amazon - one of
the jewels of the natural world, shared by both nations - by
showing that a future of sustainable forestry is within our grasp
if we work together to achieve it.
I have seen the willingness across the world to protect the
planet for future generations. COP26 is our last best chance to
do so, and we must work together so that we do not lose this
crucial opportunity.
Notes to editors:
Following his visit to Bolivia, Mr Sharma will travel to Brazil.