CAF adds allies to preserve Latin American and Caribbean oceans

During COP15 on Biodiversity, held in Montreal, a group of global experts analyzed the lines of action of CAF’s strategy on oceans, focused on promoting new regional projects that create social and community revenues and stimulating sustainable tourism that contributes to economic growth.

Alicia Montalvo, CAF’s manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, underscored the need to improve the quality of life of people living in coastal regions in Latin America and the Caribbean, and that one of CAF’s priorities is to offer greater access to financial resources for sustainable fisheries projects and restoration of natural ecosystems, among others.

“It is important that we collaborate with knowledge networks to add more and more voices and partners towards the goal of preserving our oceans,” Montalvo said.

Peter Thompson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, said science makes it clear that we need to protect at least 30% of the planet to avoid mass extinction. “If we are talking about sustainable blue economy at this event, then I am on your side,” Thompson said.

For Yabanex Batista, Head of the UN Coral Reef Fund, the impact of hurricanes in the region causes changes and impacts the way marine resources are consumed. Batista also explained that they are developing a pipeline of solutions and offered to work with CAF to channel more investments.

Uruguay’s Minister of Environment Adrián Peña noted that since the Lisbon Ocean Summit they have advanced in the implementation of commitments, and that this week they have taken measures to define protected areas of oceans. “It's not just about defining them but about sustaining them over time, therein lies the challenge,” Peña said.

Puri Canals, president of MedPAN (Network of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas Managers) encouraged CAF to continue supporting countries to work together, and mentioned the exemplary case of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), an initiative in which Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama work together.

The international experts valued the consultation process that CAF is carrying out to develop its oceans strategy, and also recognized the value of the institution’s commitment to allocate USD 1.25 billion over the coming years to preserve the region’s oceans.