On May 3 and 4, the city of Cali became the epicenter of an unprecedented synergy between public and private organizations dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) prioritized by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in Colombia, specifically in the Tropical Andes Hotspot.
The event, organized by Fondo Patrimonio Natural with the support of Corporación Biodiversa, and financed by CEPF, brought together diverse actors committed to the sustainable conservation of the natural resources of this important region.
CEPF is a joint initiative of the French Development Agency, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank that seeks to support civil society in conserving biodiversity.
Fondo Patrimonio Natural is the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for Colombia for this project. It has a RIT in the regional coordination and in Peru (Profonanpe), a RIT in Bolivia (ACEAA - Bolivian Association for the Research and Conservation of Andean-Amazonian Ecosystems) and a RIT in Ecuador (FFLA- Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano).
The CEPF project coordinator at the Natural Heritage Fund, Martha Silva, had the opportunity to grant an interview, where she shared the main conclusions of this enriching event. In the interview, she highlighted the importance of collaboration and joint work to address environmental challenges in the Tropical Andes Hotspot.
During the two-day meeting, a national meeting of CEPF partners and allies in Colombia was held, which brought together civil society organizations, as well as public and private institutions committed to the conservation of natural resources in this region of great importance for biodiversity.
The main objective of this event was to identify common themes that allow the articulation of activities and the pooling of resources among CEPF's partner organizations, environmental authorities and allied entities. In this way, it seeks to enhance the sustainability of the work for the conservation of one of the richest and most threatened ecosystems in the world.
During the roundtables, several crucial issues were addressed, such as climate change mitigation, restoration and payments for environmental services, green business, action plans and monitoring of endangered species, creation of protected areas and implementation of management plans, governance and public policies. These discussions made it possible to generate joint proposals and solutions to address environmental challenges in the region. The KBA Bosque de San Antonio/Km 18 was also visited, where attendees were able to see the experience of synergies between different actors in 3 properties with different green enterprises.
The success of this meeting demonstrates the commitment and willingness of both public and private actors to join efforts to protect and conserve biodiversity in the Tropical Andes Hotspot. Collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders are essential to achieve significant results in terms of conservation and sustainability.
Martha Silva, highlighted the importance of this meeting and stressed the need to work together to address environmental challenges in the region. In her interview, she highlighted the importance of identifying common issues and articulating activities between CEPF's partner organizations, environmental authorities, government and allied entities. Only through collaboration and the pooling of resources can sustainability and a positive impact on the conservation of ecosystems be guaranteed.
The Tropical Andes Hotspot is recognized worldwide for its incredible biodiversity, but it also faces a number of threats, such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation and climate change. It is essential to take urgent action to protect and preserve this valuable natural heritage.
CEPF, through funding provided by its international partners, has played a key role in promoting conservation projects and actions in the region. Cooperation between public and private organizations is essential to leverage available resources and maximize the impact of conservation initiatives.
This meeting in Cali has been an important milestone on the road to sustainable conservation in the Tropical Andes Hotspot. As organizations and stakeholders continue to work together, it is expected that new ideas will be generated and effective actions will be implemented to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem services of this unique region.
The commitment of the participating organizations, the support of CEPF's allies and the willingness to collaborate demonstrate that it is possible to achieve positive change in the conservation of our natural resources. Protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services is not just the responsibility of a few, but of everyone. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Name: Angélica Calixto Galván
Position: Communications professional Fondo Patrimonio Natural
Telephone: 319 218 4113
E-mail: acalixto@patrimonionatural.org.co
***About the Fondo Patrimonio Natural: Fondo Patrimonio Natural is an organization committed to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Colombia. Its objective is to promote the protection of ecosystems and biological diversity through the generation of financial and technical resources, as well as the promotion of cooperation and collaboration between different actors. For more information, visit: https://www.patrimonionatural.org.co/ ***
