CAF and FAO make advances in the validation of the environmental project of Lake Maracaibo

The Validation Workshop for the Project "Conservation and sustainable development of the Lake Maracaibo Basin as a contribution to the improvement of the Large Marine Ecosystem of the Caribbean" was held on January 30 and 31, 2025 at the Institute for the Control and Conservation of the Lake Maracaibo Basin (ICLAM). This initiative, framed within the Integrated Clean and Healthy Oceans Program, represents a joint effort between CAF, FAO and the Ministry of People's Power for Ecosocialism (MINEC), with the aim of addressing eutrophication and hypoxia in Lake Maracaibo, reducing the flow of nutrients and pollutants from agricultural production activities and discharges of untreated wastewater and industrial waste.

The event was attended by various authorities, including the Minister of People's Power for Ecosocialism, Mr. Josué Lorca; General Secretary Néstor Reverol Torres, President of CORPOZULIA; General Secretary Edgar Cruz Jiménez Hernández, President of ICLAM; Mr. René Gómez-García Palao, Senior Executive of the Technical Advisory Directorate on Biodiversity and Climate of CAF, and Mr. Alexis Bonte, Representative of FAO in Venezuela. During the opening of the workshop, the importance of inter-institutional cooperation for the recovery of Lake Maracaibo and the need for comprehensive management of its basin were highlighted.

On the first day of the workshop, the Integrated Clean and Healthy Oceans Program was presented and the full working version of the CAF-FAO-GEF project for the benefit of Lake Maracaibo and its watershed was presented for the audience's consideration. Carlos Aponte, Technical Coordinator of the Project, detailed the key elements of the planning document, leading into a question-and-answer session in which participants were able to express their concerns and provide observations for improving the project. Later, other related initiatives were addressed, such as the presentation of the results on the vulnerability of the state of Zulia to climate change and the National Adaptation Plan, which allowed for further contextualizing the importance of the project within the framework of sustainable development.

The second day focused on interactive work in thematic roundtables, designed to delve deeper into the different components of the project. Five discussion tables were established:

1. Planning and Public Policies: Analyzed the strengthening of the regulatory framework and intersectoral coordination for integrated management of the basin.
2. Science and Technology for Sustainability: Evaluated the information and monitoring systems proposed for decision-making based on scientific evidence.
3. Sustainable Production and Resilience: Strategies were discussed for the adoption of sustainable agricultural and livestock practices that are resilient to climate change.
4. Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment: Reviewed the solutions proposed to improve sanitation infrastructure and reduce the nutrient load in the lake.
5. Communities and Citizen Participation: Evaluated strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of communities in the management of the basin, ensuring an inclusive and equitable approach.

The collaborative discussion developed at the Workshop helped to identify gaps in the indicators and products of the results framework, challenges were discussed, and adjustments were proposed to improve the implementation of the project. In addition, the need to strengthen the articulation between the government sector and local communities to ensure the sustainability of long-term actions was emphasized.

One of the key points addressed was the importance of effective environmental governance. Participants agreed that the conservation of the Lake Maracaibo basin requires a well-defined public policy framework, supported by financing mechanisms, and a robust institutional framework. It was highlighted that, although there are environmental regulations in force, their application and compliance are still pending challenges that must be addressed as a priority.

Another central aspect of the discussion was the impact of climate change on the lake basin and the need to adopt nature-based solutions. Mitigation and adaptation strategies that could be integrated into the project were analysed, including the restoration of key ecosystems, proper management of water resources, and the promotion of agroecological practices that reduce nutrient pollution.

Regarding citizen participation, the importance of actively involving local communities in the management of the lake was stressed. The creation of permanent consultation and participation mechanisms was proposed as a solution which would allow the population not only to learn about the progress of the project, but also to contribute ideas and solutions based on their own experience. Likewise, the need to raise awareness and educate the population about the importance of preserving Lake Maracaibo and the long-term benefits of the measures implemented was highlighted.

At the end of the day, a plenary session was held in which the spokespersons of each table presented the main observations and recommendations, which will serve as fundamental inputs for the execution phase. Among the most relevant recommendations was the need to strengthen environmental monitoring, implement incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices and ensure that the management of the project is participatory and transparent.

The recommendations arising from this workshop will be essential to guide the implementation of the project and ensure its technical, social and environmental viability. With the validation of these key elements, the commitment of the actors involved in the search for sustainable solutions for the Lake Maracaibo basin is reinforced. The next phase of the project will require rigorous monitoring to assess the impact of the proposed measures and adjust the strategies as necessary, thus ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the intervention.

The project, in its complemented version which includes the inputs from the workshop, will be presented to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for review. After the project is approved by the GEF, the execution phase will begin.