As the first speaker, I can’t really say all Protocol observed but having attended several GCFI meetings, I recall this is a family.
Welcome family and friends.
My name is Chris Corbin, Coordinator of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and Caribbean Environment Programme. Welcome to participants in person and virtually to this meeting of the Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Networks taking place during the 77th GCFI Annual Conference in Guadeloupe.
Let me begin by extending my thanks to the GCFI organizing team for providing us this space to host the meeting. I apologize for not being able to attend this year’s GCFI Conference in person. My current role as Coordinator means I have to juggle multiple commitments but rest assured you are in good hands with the support of Susana as our Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Programme Manager.
When I first joined the Secretariat in 2004, CaMPAM and the Trainer of a Trainers Programme was a household word among MPA Practitioners in the region promoting training and exchange of experiences and best practices. The leadership of Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri, Georgina Bustamante, and several colleagues of our SPAW RAC through the years are to be celebrated.
Discussions around MPAs has been a permanent fixture for GCFI Conferences. However, as our region strives for greater economic development, environmental sustainability is at threat Many more partners have embraced the need to sustainably manage and use MPAs. While one might see the number of Networks, as a risk of overlap and duplication, I see as an opportunity to bring our individual strengths to the table.
The development of our own SPAW-listed MPA networks, the excellent work of GCFI and MPA Connect, and the role that GCFI conferences have played throughout the years to bring together multiple stakeholders with similar objectives are critical achievements. Collectively, we must continue to facilitate innovation and even greater collaboration in MPA Management.
Why is this so important today?
The global and regional landscape has changed. We must now respond to new commitments and mandates including not only under own Cartagena Convention and the SPAW Protocol, but particularly Target 3 of the 30x30 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as other relevant MEAs and regional frameworks.
I am especially pleased that we are expanding on this collaboration at a GCFI Conference. I want to reiterate our continued commitment, as the Cartagena Convention Secretariat to work with all MPA networks to share experiences, resources, and best practices for addressing common challenges and developing and implementing joint solutions.
Our work as regional agencies and partners is primarily support countries and local communities to better manage and monitor MPAs. This will ensure their effectiveness in conserving marine and coastal biodiversity.
My hope is that from this continued collaboration, we have the various MPA networks in our region working together to identify specific actions we can do together. While we want to increase the number of MPAs and meet various regional and global targets, we also must ensure improved effectiveness and sustainability of these MPAs in the WCR by adopting, promoting and iimplementing more integrated solutions.
I wish you all the best in your discussions.
THANK YOU
