V: Yes, Im focusing on the environmental part of it Well, they are not "possible violations", as they have in fact occurred to make way for this new project. Its a fact that the laws were broken, but "mr X" was let off the hook... Sadly, this is NOT very uncommon in Mexico, regardless what kind of legal trouble the said person is involved in. I have heard and read a lot about what you mentioned, but also soooo many versions... Its like a jungle. 424 million $US... wooow :O
That's why I'd suggest looking at the court documents for detail. __________________ Well, we got a little sidetracked, there, from talking about important international conferences held in Cancun from time to time, and the benefits these can produce for the city- eh, Rawkus?- but, as is often the case when the focus is Mexico, conversations tend to drift to the subject of corruption. Perhaps the World Bank should host a conference here, "The Impact of Corruption on International Business and Economic Development". Mexico is a nice country in many ways but corruption, to the degree it exists here, acts as a dead weight on small to medium-sized business development, and permits its cousin- criminal extortion- to flourish, by weakening law enforcement. __________________
Kyoto Protocol The UN will be holding its conference on climate change, with the aim of arriving at some degree of common ground for real commitments to reducing their output of greenhouse gases from those countries who are the major contributors to the problem of climate change, China and the U.S., at the moment, November 29- December 10, here in Cancun. They are now holding talks preliminary to this meeting, in Beijing. AP:With China playing host to the climate talks for the first time, it has the opportunity to highlight its own commitment to clean energy, said Deborah Seligsohn, a Beijing-based adviser with the World Resources Institute. Last year, China pledged it would cut its carbon intensity — emissions per unit of GDP — by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 from the 2005 level. Nationwide efforts have also been made to reach the goal of improving energy efficiency by 20 percent from 2005 to 2010. "They're serious and they chose something that's not easy," she said. "China has redoubled domestic efforts since Copenhagen. I don't think anyone can doubt that. China wants people to look at what they're doing on the ground. They'll use this as an opportunity to do that. The U.S. has yet to agree to any plans to reduce its emissions, or to limit increases in emissions. Whether the culture underlying this refusal to take responsibility for the long-term consequences of one's actions has anything to do with the U.S. long-term, relatively poor economic outlook is a matter for conjecture. I personally think there is a connection, as building an economy that is not prone to faltering requires short-term sacrifices for long-term good, just as dealing with climate change does.
Just think of all the resources they could save if they just held a web conference and everyone could participate from the comfort of their own offices... all this meeting will mean for us locals is delays and closures of parts of the hotel zone... and possibly some small riots/protests that seem to accompany UN events no matter where in the world they are. I remember what a hassle the WTO meetings were back when it was in town, and the nutcase that climbed the fence they had blocked the hotel zone access with and killed himself... but I don't expect this to be quite so bad... we need the business but other than that I don't have much good to say about this meeting.
At least this event is being held at Cancun Messe (the new convention center out in the middle of nowhere on the highway). Yes, there will be some hassles wherever the "important" folk are staying, but the meetings are being held in someplace a little easier to protect. :S Speaking of Cancun Messe, their first big event was the Latin American Food Show (usually held in the hotel zone). Apparently it was a big flop this year, not a great start. They've got big plans for this center, big dreams, I'm curiously watching to see if they can do what they say they are going to do ("We can change the economy of Cancun with this center!".) Cancunmesse
Cancunmesse? Why haven't I heard of this place? Seems a bit superfluous, since Cancun Center is always available, with great facilities and a better location. But hey, maybe I'm wrong!
Their first event was just last month, I don't think many people have heard of the place (I may not have except for a work thang). It's a HUGE facility, much bigger than Cancun Center and apparently the only place in Mexico that can hold large events (more than 10 thousand people) and have enough hotel rooms in the area for everyone. (I was told that Mexico City only ever has 5000 hotel rooms available for events, not sure of the validity of that number though). I have my doubts about it's possible success, it's waaay far out there, they don't have a lot of parking, and they don't have (or didn't have) any contracts with transportation companies to shuttle people back and forth from the hotel zone. They've got space, but they've got to fill it to make it work! COP 16 will be their first big challenge and they are hoping it puts them on the map as "the" place to hold large events in Mexico.
I thought that place was an industrial park or something... humm... seems an odd place for a convention center and I agree it doesn't look like they have enough parking for big events unless they have a big lot in back thats hidden from view. Just like the morons building shopping plazas in town with 30 locals but only 25 parking spots.. :brick: I had assumed that they were using the centre like always, but now I supposed they'll not only tie up traffic in the HZ but along the highway too.. nice :banghead:
