2016 UN Climate Change COP22: 98% Of Bab Ighli Village Complete

By William Nana Yaw Beeko, Online Editor

The Bab Ighli village is preparing to host the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from November 7-18 in Marrakech, Morocco. 20,000 participants are expected on the site from 196 countries.

The development of Bab Ighli, which spans across 300,000 m², was accomplished in less than 6 months. Today, 98 % of it is completed with the remainder in the process of being finalized.

55 tents, assembled in less than 3 months constitute the COP22 village, including two distinct zones.

In the Blue Zone, administered by the United Nations, there is a large canopy (700 meters in length and 26 meters in width) covering the main road, bordered by gardens, and off of which the various meeting and negotiation rooms are located, as well as two restaurants.

The interior development of the Blue Zone was conducted with total respect for UN protocol. The two large plenary halls, one of which will include a traditional Moroccan door, are designed to welcome participants in an international and multicultural setting.

The Green Zone, with a surface area of more than 30,000m², will welcome the Civil Society and Innovation spaces. Representatives from various companies from Morocco and around the world will be present along with NGOs, associations and civil society member groups.

Exhibitor stands are in the process of being assembled and the final touches of the exterior of the site are underway. Conference rooms and plenaries are already functional.