Spain likely to host COP25 climate change summit after Chile's withdrawal
A demonstrator is sprayed by security forces with a water cannon during an anti-government protest in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
SANTIAGO / MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will likely host the United Nations' COP25 climate change summit in Madrid, following Chile's withdrawal as host amid raging street protests in the South American nation, a Spanish government source said.
The summit is aimed at fleshing out details of the implementation of the landmark Paris Agreement climate pact, amid calls for urgent action from environmental groups and climate protesters.
A demostrator display a Chilean national flag near a burning barricade during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
The Spanish government said in a statement earlier on Thursday that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was ready to do what was needed to host the summit in Madrid.
A formal decision on hosting the summit in Madrid will be taken on Monday, the source said on Thursday.
"It is nearly done, we have every chance of getting it," the source said.
Demonstrators protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said Sanchez had offered to host the summit in Spain on the same days as previously scheduled, between Dec. 2 and Dec. 13.
"I hope that this generous offer from the president of Spain... represents a solution," Pinera said. "We have shared this information with the leading authorities at the United Nations."
The so-called Conference of the Parties (COP) is the formal meeting of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
A demonstrator wearing a mask holds a candle during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
A spokesman earlier on Thursday said the UNFCCC was waiting to receive an official letter from Spain offering to host the talks and would then organize a meeting to assess the offer.
Chile's withdrawal is the first time that a nation has pulled out of hosting the conference with just a month to go.
Violent riots in recent days have left large parts of capital Santiago shut down, with its vital metro transport system suffering nearly $400 million in damage.
A demonstrator wearing a mask takes part of a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraA demonstrator is seen during an anti-government protest in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood, additional reporting by Nina Chestney in London and Emma Pinedo Gonzalez, Nathan Adan and Belén Carreño in Madrid; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
A demonstrator takes part in a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. Sign reads, "Pinera resign". REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraA demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez Riot police officers stand guard during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraDemonstrators are sprayed by riot police water canons during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraA riot police vehicle releases tear gas during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraA demonstrator throws an object during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez A riot police kicks a tear gas canister during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez Riot police walk down the street during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraDemonstrators take cover as they are sprayed by riot police with a water cannon during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis SaavedraVolunteer medical personnel hold a shield during a protest against Chile's government in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Edgard GarridoVolunteer medical personnel watch from behind a shield as demonstrators and police clash during a protest against Chile's government in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Henry RomeroDemonstrators run from tear gas during a protest against Chile's government in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Pablo SanhuezaRiot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez Demonstrators take part in a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez Police officers in a vehicle attempt to disperse demonstrators during an anti-government protest in Santiago, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge SilvaA demonstrator walks during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, Chile October 31, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Gonzalez
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