Embattled Piñera announces Chile will not host UN climate summit

Right-wing Chilean president's decision to cancel hosting COP 25 leaves UN scrambling one month before landmark summit
Photo: Fotomovimiento
Your ad here
Don't like ads?
Automated ads help us pay our journalists, servers, and team. Support us by becoming a member today to hide all automated ads:
Become a member

Facing an unprecedented wave of protests demanding his resignation, Chile's right-wing president Sebastián Piñera announced Wednesday morning that his government would no longer be able to host the COP25 UN climate summit.

The announcement has left the United Nations scrambling, as it comes just over one month before the landmark international summit was set to begin. Chile had stepped forward to host the summit after the far right Jair Bolsonaro reneged last fall on Brazil's offer to host the summit.

On the official UN website for COP 25, there is a terse statement from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa:

Earlier today, I was informed of the decision by the Government of Chile not to host COP25 in view of the difficult situation that the country is undergoing. We are currently exploring alternative hosting options.

An additional note on the UN website indicates that the rest of the summit information is no longer valid. Pre-conference sessions were due to begin in less than one month in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

Global leaders of the climate justice movement were quick to note the connections between the climate crisis and the social and economic inequality in Chile that is at the roots of the current protest movement.

As of publication, the UN is reported to exploring alternative options for hosting COP25.

Further reading on Chile and the global climate crisis:

You might also be interested in...
For Indigenous communities in Alberta, the oil industry has left an ugly stain
Brandi Morin
December 6, 2023
VIDEO: Thousands fill the streets of Canadian cities demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Zachary Ruiter
November 11, 2023
British Columbia cages Airbnb, as speculators cry foul
Ryan Hook
November 1, 2023