Gabon Congratulates Morocco on COP22 Presidency

Libreville, 08/11/2016 (MAP) – Gabon congratulated Morocco for the presidency of the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, “extended his congratulations to HM King Mohammed VI, while the Kingdom is now officially holding the presidency of the COP22,” said a statement by the presidency of the Gabonese Republic, received by MAP-Libreville.

At the opening ceremony of the COP 22, held Monday in Marrakech, COP21 president Segolene Royal handed over the presidency to Morocco’s Foreign Affairs minister Salaheddine Mezouar.

“We are currently building a new development model, which combines economic growth, social welfare and environmental protection,” Ali Bongo said.

Gabon, which ratified the Paris Agreement, will carry out an intense diplomatic activity as part of the 22nd Climate Conference, announced as the “COP of Africa,” the same source said.

Anxious to see ”Africa be part of the solution that must humanity bring to the complex challenge posed by climate change”, the Gabonese President will take part in the high-level segment of the Conference and participate in the Heads of State Summit “that HM King Mohammed VI has decided to organize to demonstrate the strong commitment of Morocco to Africa,” the statement noted.

Several Gabonese high officials are taking part in the COP22, including the ministers of Environment, Economy and Foreign Affairs, as well as civil society representatives.