COP16: Eastern Tropical Pacific gets permanent secretariat

October 21, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Ministers of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama will announce the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the transboundary conservation of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) on October 31, 2024.

This will enhance cooperation and protection for one of the world’s most biologically diverse and productive ocean regions.

The announcement will be made by Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Franz Tattenbach, Ecuador’s Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, Inés Manzano Díaz, and Panama’s Minister of Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue Zone, CBD COP16, from 8:00 to 9:00 am, and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

The new secretariat will ensure long-term regional cooperation, establish a durable financing mechanism, support a legally binding conservation agreement, and enhance transparency and regional enforcement to protect marine biodiversity.

This initiative builds on previous efforts, including the 2004 San Jose Declaration, which created the CMAR as a voluntary partnership between the four countries. The Connect to Protect Eastern Tropical Pacific Coalition will provide technical and financial assistance to support this initiative.