United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Friday confirmed that this year's climate talks (COP25) will be held in Madrid, Spain from December 2 to 13. The decision comes days after Chile pulled out as host.

"We are pleased to announce the COP Bureau has agreed that COP25 will take place from 2-13 December in Madrid," United Nations climate chief Patricia Espinosa said on Twitter.

Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed it on Twitter, adding that "Spain is working from now on to guarantee the organization of the COP25."

Alexander Saier, a spokesman for the UNFCCC, said that the Spanish government would help expedite the issuance of visas and set up an agency to help organize the travel and accommodation of the roughly 25,000 people expected to attend.

"It is more important that the conference takes place politically. I think it would have been not a good sign if the conference would have been canceled or postponed," Saier said.

Chile's government Wednesday announced that it was withdrawing as host of both the December climate summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled this month, after two weeks of riots over inequality in the South American country left at least 18 people dead.

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Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida called his city's role hosting the conference a "good opportunity to show our commitment in the fight against pollution and show that we are prepared to welcome its 25,000 attendees."

The conference comes amid calls for swift action from environmental groups and climate protesters, with recent scientific reports urging sweeping measures to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who has led a high-profile global climate strike movement to focus attention on global warming, said the change of venue for the summit had stranded her on the wrong side of the Atlantic.

Thunberg, currently in Los Angeles, traveled to the United States by yacht from Europe and had planned to continue her trip to Santiago for the climate talks carbon-free.

"It turns out I've traveled half around the world, the wrong way:)," she wrote on Twitter. "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."

Spanish Environment Minister Teresa Ribera on Friday offered to help her get to Madrid for the summit.

"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 possible," she said on Twitter, without giving details.

Chile will continue to assume the presidency of the climate talks while in Madrid. The so-called Conference of the Parties (COP) is aimed at fleshing out details of the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon, Prime Minister of Spain speaks during the press conference at the European Council Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo)