The offer from the Spanish government to host the event came after Chile’s president Sebastian Piñera announced his country was pulling out due to civil unrest in the country.
Chile assumed the presidency and organization of COP25 after the resignation of Brazil with the arrival of President Jair Bolsonaro.
The final decision on whether to accept Spain’s offer was in the hands of the UN COP bureau, a 12-member panel of climate diplomats chaired by Michel Kurtyka. They met Friday and accepted the offer.
“It will be our pleasure to host COP25 in Madrid. A privilege to back and facilitate global action on climate,” Spain’s minister for ecological transition, Teresa Ribero, tweeted.
Espinosa said, "It is encouraging to see that countries work together in a spirit of multilateralism to face climate change, the greatest challenge facing present and future generations.”
The change of venue is expected to cause widespread logistics headaches as thousands try to rearrange travel plans.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among those affected, tweeting, “As #COP25 has officially been moved from Santiago to Madrid I’ll need some help. It turns out I’ve traveled half around the world, the wrong way:) Now I need to find a way to cross the Atlantic in November... If anyone could help me find transport I would be so grateful.”
Teresa Ribera, Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition, responded on behalf of the government, saying, "Dear Greta, it would be great to have you here in #Madrid. You've made a long journey and help all of us to raise concern, open minds and enhance action. We would love to help you to cross the Atlantic back. Willing to get in contact to make it posible."
