The Steering Committee of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project “Catalyzing implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems project, Chaired the Government of Panama, convened virtually from 16-18 June 2020. 105 delegates representing 22 countries and 14 international organisations participated in this meeting, which led to this important milestone decision which lays the foundations for a region-wide “ocean governance” Coordination Mechanism. The rationale for the creation of such a Coordination Mechanism has been outlined under a 10-year (2015-2025) Strategic Action Programme politically endorsed by 26 countries. Such a decision will advance work, commenced almost two decades ago, on enhancing the management of marine and coastal ecosystems, and improving the livelihoods of the communities dependent on them.
Once operational, the Coordination Mechanism is expected to improve collaboration and communication amongst participating countries and regional intergovernmental organisations for the conservation and sustainable use of goods and services provided by the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems. Maintaining healthy marine and coastal resources are critical to enhance the resilience to the impacts of unsustainable use, climate change and natural disasters of these Large Marine Ecosystems as a whole. Aggregations of humpback whales, whale sharks, sea turtles, and several highly migratory species; and valuable spiny lobster, queen conch, shrimp & groundfish, and flyingfish fisheries are the basis for a diverse and rich cultural heritage, and vital for the sustainable tourism development, important to our future generations.
Whilst the goods and services from marine and coastal environments constitute the region’s most important assets for sustainable and socio-economic development and climate resilience they are also known to be under severe threat. To that extent, their sound protection and restoration over the next decade - declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration will be crucial for the region’s future. Is in this context that the milestone decision on the Coordination Mechanisms achieved within an inter-sessional Meeting of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project Steering Committee is highly relevant and timely.
The decision regarding the foundations of a Regional Coordination Mechanism was achieved thanks to the use of online collaborative platforms, such as Loomio and Kudo which allowed for the sharing of documents; real-time multilingual interactions and decision making,proving the importance of effective communications in times of the Covid 19 pandemic.
The 5-year UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project is receiving funding from The Global Environment Facility (thegef.org), through its International Waters Focal Area, and The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the GEF implementing Agency. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), together with UNEP CEP (represented through the Cartagena Convention Secretariat), FAO-WECAFC, IOCARIBE of the IOC of UNESCO, CRFM, OSPESCA, OECS Commission, CANARI, CERMES and GCFI, are responsible for technical and administrative execution.
For more information, please visit the CLME+ HUB (www.clmeplus.org) or contact the CLME+ Project Coordination Unit (info@clmeproject.org)
