Ninety eight percent of the Bab Ighli village complete

October 31st 2016

 

VIOLET MENGO

Lusaka

Conference Hall

THE Bab Ighli village the venue for the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from November 7-18 in Marrakech, Morocco is 98 percent complete.

Over 20,000 participants from, 196 countries are expected to be in attendance for the African COP which has been dubbed a “COP of Action.”

The development of Bab Ighli, which spans across 300,000 m², was accomplished in less than 6 months.  Today, 98 percent of it is completed with the remainder in the process of being finalised.

Fifty five tents, assembled in less than 3 months constitute the COP22 village, including two distinct zones- the Blue and Green zones respectively.

In the Blue Zone, administered by the United Nations, there is a large canopy (700 meters in length and 26 meters in width) covering the main road, bordered by gardens, and off of which the various meeting and negotiation rooms are located, as well as two restaurants.

The interior development of the Blue Zone was conducted with total respect for UN protocol. The two large plenary halls, one of which will include a traditional Moroccan door, are designed to welcome participants in an international and multicultural setting.

The Green Zone, with a surface area of more than 30,000m², will welcome the Civil Society and Innovation spaces. 

Representatives from various companies from Morocco and around the world will be present along with NGOs, associations and civil society member groups.

Exhibitor stands are in the process of being assembled and the final touches of the exterior of the site are underway. Conference rooms and plenaries are already functional.

COP22 Moroccan Presidency to host Pre-COP meetings in Marrakech

 

October 14, 2016

 

VIOLET MENGO

Lusaka

MORE than 400 participants are expected to be in attendance for the Pre-COP Ministerial meeting scheduled for October 18-19, 2016.

The meeting which is ahead of the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change.

COP22 Moroccan Presidency in collaboration with COP21 Presidency is organising the pre- COP meeting which is also  ahead of the 12th session of the Conference of Parties serving  as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CM12) and the first session of the Conference of Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CM1) scheduled in Marrakech, November 7 to 18.

According to the press release by COP22 Press team, the meeting will be chaired by COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouarand. COP21 President Ségolène Royal and will include participation by UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa as well as Ministers from 80 countries.

The Pre-COP Ministerial meeting is a continuation of the Informal Consultations, organized September 8 and 9 in Skhirat, Morocco and aims to address the convening of CMA1 in Marrakech during COP22.

It also aims to look at the development of the Paris Agreement rule book, means of implementation of the Paris Agreement, matters relating to the Pre-2020 Agenda and the Global Climate Action Agenda led by COP22 High-Level Climate Champion, Hakima El Haite and COP21 High-Level Climate Champion Laurence Tubiana.

The convening of CMA1 during COP22 is a result of the ratification of the Paris Agreement by 55 countries accounting for more than 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

The threshold was reached on October 5, thus triggering the early entry into force of the Agreement on November 4 and the first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement to take place during COP22 in Marrakech. 

The Kingdom of Morocco deposited its Paris Agreement instruments of ratification with the United Nations in New York on September 21 at a special event organized by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during the United Nations General Assembly.

Zambia signed the Paris Agreement on September 21 and is yet to ratify the agreement after it is taken to Parliament through cabinet.

 

On October 17, ahead of the Pre-COP Ministerial, there will be a Civil Society Pre-COP in Marrakech featuring debates between representatives from UNFCCC observer constituent groups (business, environment, local government, indigenous peoples, trade unions, women and gender, youth and farmers and agriculture) followed by a discussion with the COP22 and COP21 Presidents.