Cali (Valle del Cauca), September 5, 2024 – At the International Trade Union Summit of Workers at Peace with Nature, more than 180 union representatives from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States signed a declaration recognizing the interdependence of labor rights, social justice and biodiversity protection.
This meeting brought together trade unions from Colombia and other countries of the world to agree on messages and positions for COP16. Among the main commitments signed by the unions are: to support a just transition to a sustainable economy that respects planetary boundaries and guarantees decent and quality jobs; to highlight the importance of biodiversity protection; to reject trade agreements that promote the exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation at the expense of the rights of workers and local communities.
Trade unions from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States signed a declaration that recognizes the interdependence of labor rights, social justice and biodiversity protection.
“Workers are a vital force for change to put human rights at the center of this environmental transition towards more resilient systems and a viable society in the 21st Century, their contributions are fundamental to building Peace with Nature”highlighted the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad.
In line with this, Óscar Gerardo Sánchez, president of Sintrambiente, stated that “the conversations on biodiversity and the environment must also take into account the workers, since in the end they are the ones who make policies and programs a reality in the territories, which is why this space for preparation for COP16 is so important”.
They also called for international solidarity among trade unions to strengthen the struggle for social and environmental justice around the world. They highlighted the protection of biodiversity as a global challenge that requires a global and coordinated response.
They also highlighted their commitment to promoting environmental education among workers, their families and their communities, as well as the importance of actively participating in the development and implementation of biodiversity conservation and restoration policies, among others.
This summit joins the events leading up to the Conference of the Parties COP16 that will be held with different sectors of society. COP16 will be held in Cali from October 21 to November 1.
Trade Union Summit confirms grassroots participation in COP16
This summit continues to materialize the concept of the People's COP, where there is space for perspectives and contributions from various sectors of the population, reaffirming the relevance of involving workers who can contribute daily to the protection of biodiversity.
This summit was organized by Sintrambiente, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and Public Services International, with representatives of the General Confederation of Labor, the Confederation of Colombian Workers and the Central Unitary Workers' Union of Colombia. Also participating were workers from the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (CSA-TUCA), Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED), CONTAGUAS, Union Sindical Obrera (USE), Asociación del Personal de los Organismos de Control (APOC), Asociación Gremial Obreros y Empleados de la Conservación Ecológica Ambiental y Servicios Especiales (AGOEC), and Sintracuavalle.
180 unionized workers built their perspectives towards COP16 as a key sector for the protection of biodiversity.