'If the purchase of coca leaf is made with the intention of using it in a positive way later on, it can prevent trafficking': António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

This Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres spoke to the media about several issues related to the biodiversity summit (COP16). The UN chief referred to President Gustavo Petro's proposal to buy coca leaves from farmers in El Plateado (Cauca) to reduce drug trafficking and create legal economies.

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In this sense, Guterres stressed that although he did not know the details of the proposal, it could be positive if it helped to reduce drug trafficking. "If the purchase (of coca leaves) is done in a positive way for later use, it can prevent trafficking. Our goal must be to preserve the health of the whole world," Guterres stressed.

On the other hand, with regard to Venezuela and the participation of an envoy of Nicolás Maduro during the Biodiversity Summit, the diplomat assured that this presence was due to the "operating mechanism of multilateral organisations and in particular of the COP", since "in the COPs, those who are there participate as long as the country accredits them. This is a practice that we can change, but it does not invalidate what happened with Venezuela," he stressed.

For this reason, Guterres stressed that the alleged victory of Nicolás Maduro in the recent elections in Venezuela casts a shadow of doubt, given "the lack of adequate transparency and the fact that various governments have not yet recognised the elections", which shows the lack of credibility of the process.

The UN chief, who met President Gustavo Petro yesterday, called for for the proposal for total peace and also asked that the previous agreement with the Farc be ed and not forgotten.

"I take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to peace. I acknowledge the commitment of the other signatories who were Farc fighters. The agreement remains the main roap for ending violence in Colombia. Total peace is a laudable goal. Today I call on the Colombian people to persevere. It will be an honour to continue to accompany Colombia on its path to peace," he said.

Finally, Guterres also congratulated Colombia for its work in organising COP16 and issued an urgent call to make peace with nature.

Commenting on the negotiations currently taking place at the summit, the diplomat called for "urgent global action to address the existential crisis of environmental degradation" and stressed that there are three priorities that need to be translated into agreements or solutions coming out of Cali.

The first is to produce more ambitious biodiversity action plans, which only just over 30 countries have done. The second is to secure funding for conservation. "New sources of finance must be found," he said. Finally, Guterres stressed the need to indigenous peoples, recognising the vital role of these communities in biodiversity conservation and involving them in decision-making processes, as called for at this COP.

EDWIN CAICEDO

Environment and Health Journalist

@CaicedoUcros