High Level Opening Ceremony

Opportunity is one of the best things about the COP in my opinion; on the bus you are able to speak with party members from all parts of the world, you are able to hear a variety of opinions from speakers in the side events sessions, and once in a while you are able to witness something meant only for the press and diplomats. The opening ceremony of the high level segment for leaders of countries and organizations was held today at the Moon Palace in Cancun, and because of a lottery among the other NGO’s, I was able to attend as a Civil Observer.  

(UNFCCC website photo)

Moon Palace is seen as the setting for the more political aspect of the COP, it is where the majority of the  drafts are written and agreements are made, and most of the meetings that take place in the area are closed to the public. The main building, the Sunrise, was where the ceremony was held. After a brief security check I was in the plenary room fifteen minutes before the ceremony was supposed to begin and had a brief conversation with the Austrian filmmaker, Werner Boote, who is at the COP to promote his film “Plastic Planet”.  The ceremony began thirty minutes behind schedule because of the large influx of press and non authorized observers trying to get into the room. 

Keeping with the theme of Mexico’s rich history and diversity, the ceremony opened with an interpretive dance that including representations of mainstays in Mexican culture, a Conch shell representing the beach, Maize representing agriculture, a Mayan god representing the cultural and historical roots of the country, and a small Mexican boy who was being led around by the dancers as though he had never seen them before. It was a symbol of what the future of Mexico may be like if negotiations are not met by the end of the Kyoto Protocol. Youth will not longer be able to enjoy the rich culture of their home country because of implications caused by climate change.

The highlight of the event were speeches made by the UNFCCC President, Christina Figueres, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, and the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon. Among the other speeches were those made by Presidents Alvaro Colom Caballeros of Guatemala, Marcus Stephen of Nauru, and  Johnson Toribiong of the Republic of Palau on behalf of the Association of Small Island States, the Minister of Water and Environment from Yemen  on behalf of the G77 group, the Prime Minister of Kenya, Connie Hedegaard on behalf of the European Union, and many more.

Although each speech was different, they were all trying to say the same thing. Last year in Copenhagen, when new decisions were not made and new agreements were not created, people all over the world were greatly disappointed in the way the UN handled the negotiation process. This year the speakers wanted the world to see that they realize the pressure is on them to complete a new agreement that will advance the commitments set forth by the Kyoto Protocol.  As President Calderon said in his speech, “the crucial countdown for the conference is beginning.”


Written by Nikki M.