During her address at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), held in Türkiye, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, made an urgent call regarding the climate crisis currently facing the world.
The President emphasized the significance of the decisions made during this decade, reiterating that the future of coming generations depends directly on current actions.
«Mr. President, humanity is at a decisive civilizational crossroads: the climate emergency. Venezuela is losing its glaciers, and we are already experiencing the so-called ‘Super El Niño’, which could be the most intense climate phenomenon in over 70 years. Whatever we decide in this decade our children will either bear the consequences or reap the benefits,» stated the Head of State. She also took the opportunity to express gratitude for Türkiye’s solidarity following the seismic events that occurred in Venezuela on June 24.
Venezuela as a «Lung» of the Planet:
The President highlighted that Venezuela has clear objectives for climate change mitigation and serves as an essential natural shield for ecological balance.
«Our country is megadiverse. It acts as a natural shield that absorbs global impacts. We contribute only 0.39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and our ecosystems serve as a ‘lung’ for the planet, absorbing 1.8 tons of carbon for every ton we emit,» Rodríguez detailed during her address.
A historic legacy of environmental protection:
In her speech, the Venezuelan President linked current environmental policy to the historic vision of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, who, as early as the 19th century, advocated for the preservation of natural resources. This legacy is reflected today in rigorous territorial management, where conservation remains a state priority.
«We are a ‘sink’ country—a carbon-neutral nation where our natural absorption capacity far exceeds our emissions. Our history serves as a living testament to the fight for the planet: back in 1827, in Chuquisaca, the Liberator Simón Bolívar issued an order to protect water sources and plant one million trees. That commitment to life endures to this day,» recalled the Head of State.
Concluding the first minutes of her participation, the President noted that the protection of Venezuelan ecosystems is a state policy, firmly embedded in the current legal framework, with a vast expanse of territory under protection: «More than 64% of our territory is protected by law, and nearly 22% consists of national parks,» she detailed to the audience to position the country as a benchmark for nature conservation in the face of today’s climate reality.