Working together to promote multisectorial dialogues on the importance of protecting biodiversity through national legislation
On August 11, 2023, in San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Colombia, the leadership of the Conservation and Ocean Caucuses of Colombia and Mexico participated in the regional summit and field mission, "Opportunities and Challenges to Transition to a Sustainable Ocean Economy" with the support of the ICCF Group, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This mission was organized as part of the project "Facilitating dialogue and strengthening regional cooperation together with legislators to improve marine governance."
The objective of the regional summit was to promote multi-sectoral dialogue and provide technical and field learning for legislators from Colombia and Mexico in the framework of the sustainable ocean economy in order to strengthen legislative, regulatory, and public policy in this area. Specifically, the mission made it possible to present advances in both countries and exchange experiences on blue carbon projects, scientific research, and conservation and restoration of coastal-marine ecosystems.
Through over 10 technical sessions, several field trips within the archipelago, and high-level discussions with multi-sectoral stakeholders and decision-makers, the two-day agenda addressed how sustainable ocean economies provide an opportunity to advance the protection of our ocean, seas, and coasts, strengthen their productivity, and promote the prosperity of communities, particularly coastal and island communities.
The Congressmen and Congresswomen learned and identified firsthand how conservation and restoration activities in marine-coastal ecosystems have promoted a value chain that involves and benefits different actors in the territory.
The experiences of mangrove and coral ecosystem restoration, the conservation and sustainability strategies of the territorial entities in charge, and the testimonies of the leaders who implement activities related to the ocean economy in the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina enriched the parliamentary discussion on these issues and identified opportunities to strengthen the legislative frameworks of both countries.
As a result of the mission, the "Legislative Declaration of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina: Sustainable ocean economy as a catalyst for social and environmental development" was signed by leadership of the Conservation and Ocean Caucuses of Mexico and Colombia, highlighting that this approach is an opportunity to address the urgent threats facing the ocean and comply with the goals of protecting biodiversity, combating climate change, and sustainable development committed to under various national and international conventions and agreements.
Regional Headquarters