Federal Environment Ministry presents mementos for exhibition series
Today, the Federal Environment Ministry presented various mementos of the 23rd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23) to the Haus der Geschichte Foundation. The largest international and intergovernmental conference held in Germany to date has now become a part of the Objekte im Rampenlicht (objects in the spotlight) exhibition series in the Haus der Geschichte information centre.
The temporary structures were completely dismantled by Christmas and the areas affected in the Rheinaue will be restored by the end of March, but some mementos from the conference will be preserved for posterity. At the request of the Haus der Geschichte, the Federal Environment Ministry put together a collection of objects which document Germany's participation in COP 23. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth commented "We were more than happy to meet this request. This conference set new standards far beyond Germany and this is something we would like to remember. COP 23 would not have been such a success without the excellent cooperation we had with all partners."
Among the mementos are the conference badge worn by Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and the colourful reusable drinking bottles that all participants received upon registration. The collection also includes the drinking fountains sign, where participants could refill their bottles, and the EMAS certificate. In addition to the Federal Environment Ministry, other partners of the conference donated objects: COP 23 President, the Republic of Fjij, donated a traditional Fijian wooden sword, the Bonn police force contributed an operations manual and the City of Bonn and the UN Climate Change Secretariat gave the welcome banners. The local transport company, Stadtwerke Bonn, donated the clean shuttle bus transfer signs and the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) offered jackets worn by the conference volunteers.
Background: The 23rd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23) took place in Bonn from 6 to 17 November 2017 with over 26,500 participants. The COP 23 Presidency was held by the Republic of Fiji with Germany acting as technical host. COP23 in Bonn was the first Climate Change Conference to receive EMAS certification (Eco Management and Audit System) for eco-friendly performance.