Global leaders and environmental experts gathered in Cali, Colombia, on Sunday for the opening ceremony of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, a 12-day meeting aimed at advancing biodiversity conservation.
The meeting, which begins on Monday and runs through November 1, brings together more than 15,000 people from over 190 countries to push for action on biodiversity conservation, making it the most attended event of its kind since these conferences began in 1994, UN officials said.
The Colombian government, as the host, is pushing for this meeting to be the most inclusive in its history.
The goal of this meeting is for countries to take action to protect the world's flora and fauna, as experts warn that the extinction of species could begin to accelerate at an alarming rate due to climate crisis, deforestation and pollution.
To change or stop these threats against nature, COP16 this year seeks to engage a wider spectrum of society in discussions, such as indigenous groups and other communities that live in biodiversity hotspots, hoping that increased participation will translate into tangible conservation efforts.
The conference will also scrutinize past agreements, such as the Kunming-Montreal pact signed during the previous summit in Canada two years ago to address biodiversity loss and the restoration of ecosystems, as the vast majority of the 196 parties who signed that pact have yet to follow through with concrete action plans.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro attended Sunday's opening ceremony, as did a delegation from China. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the gathering by video link.
Beyond opening remarks by high-level officials, attendees also took in artistic presentations meant to stir deeper consciousness of the human relationship with and dependence on the natural world.
Expectations are high for societal sectors to actively participate in wildlife and plant conservation, aligning with the COP16 theme of "Peace with Nature".
UN biodiversity conference opens in Colombia's Cali
UN biodiversity conference opens in Colombia's Cali
A special movie-themed flight campaign lifted off with Xiamen Airlines on Tuesday, blending film culture with tourism promotion to deliver a unique in-flight experience for passengers ahead of China's upcoming May Day holiday.
The campaign took off aboard a plane operated by Xiamen Airlines, which are based in east China's Fujian Province, bringing the magic of the big screen to the small screens on passengers' seats.
The aircraft's cabin has been adorned with film-themed posters and exclusive decorations, with brochures introducing the featured film content placed in seat pockets.
During the flight, the crew also hosted an interactive question-and-answer session, where they promoted some of the top films scheduled for release during the five-day May Day holiday which begins on Friday.
They also shared insights into the featured films, including the cultural and tourism resources of their shooting locations, giving passengers inside cinematic info and essential travel tips during their trip.
The immersive themed experience resonated well with passengers on the flight, who say they are now eager to check out some of the latest film releases.
"There are eight films recommended here, and I'm going to watch them when I get back. I'm keen to see Cold War 1994, because I'm a big fan of Aaron Kwok and the other cast members. I have been following the film all along," said Wang Jianghai, a passenger on the flight, as he expressed his interest in the upcoming crime thriller set in Hong Kong.
The flight attendants involved say they enjoyed having their role extend beyond the standard service duties during this particular plane ride, as they led passengers on this cinematic voyage.
"Today, we are more than just flight attendants. We are more like guides for this movie-themed journey. At 10,000 meters in the air, we get to plant a seed in our passengers' hearts that will make them want to take a trip or go watch that film. We want this to be the start of a beautiful memory for them," said Zhu Yanyan, the flight's chief attendant.
The launch of the themed flight comes as China braces for a surge in travel and cultural consumption during the May Day holiday. By integrating cinematic content with air travel scenarios, the campaign seeks to build a seamless link between the film and cultural tourism sectors, unlocking new growth momentum for both industries.
Movie-themed flight takes off in Fujian, integrating film culture with tourism
