- New donors join the joint strategy of the Government of Costa Rica, Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre, Re:wild, including Bezos Earth Fund, Moore Foundation and Wyss Foundation.
- Resources will complement efforts for the 30×30 goals with projects for effective management of marine protected areas and blue economy.
The Costa Rica Blue Fund is close to reaching its goal of $10 million to complement Costa Rica's marine conservation efforts towards the global 30×30 goals.
This is a joint fundraising strategy between the Government of Costa Rica, Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre, Re:wild, joined by other donors such as Bezos Earth Fund, Moore Foundation and Wyss Foundation to be implemented before 2030.
The announcement was made at the Our Ocean Conference in Panama by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arnoldo André, the Vice Minister of Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), Rafael Gutiérrez, and the executive director of Forever Costa Rica, Katy de la Garza.
"Since 2021 Costa Rica achieved the goal of protecting 30% of the marine territory, the country has 23 marine protected areas totaling more than 165,000 km2, so this Fund will allow us to enhance current conservation efforts, and promote a blue economy where coastal communities and different users of the sea can improve their practices, sustainable use and productive projects," said Deputy Minister Rafael Gutierrez.
The Costa Rica Blue Fund is part of the country's efforts to conserve marine biodiversity as part of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, led by Costa Rica, France and the United Kingdom.
The Forever Costa Rica Association, within the framework of its public-private partnership with the Government of Costa Rica, will manage the financial resources of the Blue Fund Costa Rica, under a governance structure composed of a Board of Directors, an Oversight Committee and a Technical Commission.
"Some 92% of Costa Rica's territory is sea and to promote its conservation and sustainable use, collaboration between the public, private and civil society sectors is necessary. The Costa Rica Blue Fund was born with $3.5 million from our organization and we intend to reach at least $10 million with allies to promote these efforts," emphasized the executive director of Forever Costa Rica, Katy de la Garza.
STRATEGIC LINES
The Costa Rica Blue Fund will finance projects in two lines of action: 1) effective management of marine protected areas, including adaptation to climate change, research, and control and surveillance activities, and 2) blue economy, such as responsible fishing, sustainable tourism, and the transformation of fishing gear.
According to several studies, Costa Rica is home to 3.5% of the marine species reported worldwide, including 85 endemic species.
Visit the Fondo Azul Costa Rica website to learn more: https://costaricaporsiempre.org/fondo-azul-costa-rica/
Communications and Content Officer of the Forever Costa Rica Association.
