Bogotá, Colombia, July 3, 2020 – To mark the start of a new phase of partnership between GGGI, the Royal Embassy of Norway and the Government of Colombia, an official introduction of the Norway-GGGI-Colombia Green Growth Programme Phase II was given to the public via a virtual and open conference with participation of the Deputy-Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development – Maria Claudia García Davila, the Governor of the Department of Meta – Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, the Director of Corpoamazonía – Luis Alexander Mejía, and a special intervention by the Ambassador of Norway in Colombia – John Petter Opdahl.

In a special address to the virtual conference, the Ambassador of Norway in Colombia, John Petter Opdahl, reaffirmed Norway´s commitment in the fight against deforestation in Colombia and stated the unequivocal importance of international cooperation to conserve natural resources and the sustainable economic reactivation in Colombia´s regions. Ambassador Opdahl stated in his address that  “to achieve results [in the fight against deforestation], it is essential that we work together between international cooperation, the national and regional governments, the private sector, civil society and the communities (…).”

Likewise, on behalf of the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Deputy-Minister Maria Claudia García asserted dedication by the Ministry to the programme and welcomed the next period of collaboration to conserve Colombia´s forests, promote the forest economy and reduce poverty in the territories.

A panel, attended by the Governor of the Department of Meta, Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, the Director of the Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the Southern Amazon (Corpoamazonia), Luis Alexander Mejía, and moderated by GGGI Colombia´s Country Representative, Carolina Jaramillo, gave insight into the subnational expectations and commitments of the programme.

The Governor of Meta stated “…what I envision: stopping deforestation (…) My vision is that in [the municipality of] La Macarena we will adopt sustainable and efficient animal agriculture practices, that we start making better use of spaces, that we launch beekeeping projects and that nature tourism becomes an instrument for economic development in the region.”

The Director of Corpoamazonia highlighted that the Amazon is an area of special ecological importance for the world and that he expects a strong emergence by the forest economy in this region. The Director also emphasized that the sustainable landscapes approach should lead us to develop tools to restore degraded and unproductive landscapes, adding that a differential approach to social conservation, considering multi-ethnic groups, must be encouraged.

The webinar was viewed live by over 330 people, many coming from different public and private institutions around Colombia.

To watch a recap of the conference, click here.