COP26 President visits Bolivia to build support for climate goals

Alok Sharma, 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.