2nd in-person meeting of Managers of SPAW-listed MPAs

The SPAW Regional Activity Center (SPAW-RAC) has successfully implemented the Second Meeting of Managers of SPAW-listed Protected Areas, advancing the creation of the SPAW-listed MPAs Network. As requested by the Contracting Parties of the SPAW Protocol under the Cartagena Convention and in line with decisions made during SPAW-COP12, SPAW-RAC has been coordinating a regional effort to establish this network. The goal is to better understand and address the needs of protected area managers, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of SPAW-listed MPAs.

The meeting brought together 25 managers of 24 MPAs from 7 countries and 12 territories, currently listed under the SPAW Protocol (Article 7). Together, they worked to finalize the proposal for the Network’s strategic vision, workplan, institutional structure, and budget. These key elements will be presented for review at SPAW STAC11 and for final approval at SPAW-COP13.

This collaborative initiative among Caribbean MPAs, officially established in 2023, marks a significant step in strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems across the Wider Caribbean Region.