Panama is an ecological wonder with people who appreciate the value of the natural world. No surprise that the Panama Ocean Conference was held here. Panama’s forests and seas are wonders to behold.
Panama ocean conference draws $20 billion, marine biodiversity commitments
by Mongabay News & Inspiration for Nature’s Frontline
The eighth annual Our Ocean Conference was held in Panama this year making it the first Latin American country to host the conference.
The conference generated pledges of nearly $20 billion to protect the world’s oceans, with 341 commitments made by participants.
One of the biggest announcements came from Panama, which vowed to protect over 54% of its marine region. The conference also saw the establishment of a $51 million fund by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Arcadia to help support Indigenous peoples and local communities, NGOs, and governments to expand marine protection and reach the 30% ocean protection target by 2030. Other commitments included a donation of $5 million to help developing countries join the high seas treaty and $118.5 million in private and public funds to strengthen marine protections for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor.
The commitments made at the conference were “impressive,” according to Dan Crockett, the oceans and climate director at NGO Blue Marine Foundation. However, he cautioned that pushing these commitments into action would be the crucial next step, and he called for countries to work collaboratively to create marine protected areas across political boundaries. Similarly, Tony Long, chief executive officer of the platform Global Fishing Watch, called for the community to come together to drive these commitments forward to maintain the health of the ocean.
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The pledges made at the conference demonstrate that countries and organizations recognize the importance of protecting the world’s oceans. The announcement by Panama to protect over 54% of its marine region is particularly noteworthy, as it is the first Latin American country to host the conference, and its commitment to the cause sets a strong example for other countries in the region.
The establishment of a fund to support Indigenous peoples and local communities, NGOs, and governments to expand marine protection is also a significant development, as it recognizes the importance of collaboration in achieving.
Our oceans need our help and our children depend on healthy oceans for their future.
If you would like to help to save our world’s oceans, please consider volunteering for or contributing to these environmental organizations:
“We are a non-governmental, non-profit organization, with more than 35 years of uninterrupted work, conserving the natural resources and biodiversity of Panama for present and future generations. We protect 30,000 hectares of forest in the Punta Patiño Private Nature Reserve in Darién, the second largest in Central America, and we promote the restoration of areas of importance for the conservation of biodiversity.”
Ciam
The Centro de Incidencia Ambiental (CIAM) is a charity organization that was founded in 2007 to address public interest legal actions in pursuit of environmental justice. They focus on strategic litigation, environmental impact, and promoting citizen participation. They provide free legal assistance to vulnerable communities affected by environmental issues and fight against environmental racism. They work with the media to disseminate information and denounce environmental violations. They rely on the support of the International Community Foundation and the David & Lucille Packard Foundation.
These are just a few examples of the many fantastic charities in Panama that are working to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. Whether you are able to donate a little or a lot, every contribution can make a difference.
“From MarViva we support the construction of institutional and union capacities to optimize the effectiveness of regulations, strategies and plans for marine conservation and sustainable development.
Through access to technical and scientific information, training and alliances between actors, we promote an ecosystemic, multisectoral and inter-institutional approach based on advice and empowerment of relevant actors for decision-making in the implementation and evaluation of management measures and good practices. Volunteers for the conservation of natural resources. Likewise, we facilitate the establishment and consolidation of participatory governance structures, guaranteeing the insertion of community sectors and civil society in the integral management of marine and coastal spaces.”
Fundación Naturaleza y Ciencia 507
Nature and Science Foundation 507 is a non-profit organization in Panama established in December 2015. Its goal is to promote a safe environment for coexistence with nature and human beings through actions such as wildlife and ecosystem conservation, climate change study, environmental education, sustainable development, and efficient use of natural resources, and empowering local communities.
Fundación PROMAR is a non-profit environmental organization based in Panama, formed by volunteers who want to participate in the conservation of coastal marine ecosystems. The foundation was created in Panama City in June 1991 as a result of diving groups’ reaction to the negative changes observed in marine environments. Its goals are to conserve marine ecosystems, support existing and create new protected areas, promote community participation in the management and conservation of natural resources, educate the public about natural environments, and support the development of ecotourism as a sustainable economic alternative for coastal communities.
The mission of Fundación Natura is to conserve ecosystems by managing hydro-graphic basins and marine-coastal areas through resource management that contributes to national policies and international agreements. The vision is for Fundación Natura to be recognized as a resource manager that leads and innovates in the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity in prioritized hydro-graphic basins and marine coastal areas.
The organization’s value proposition is to manage resources to provide participatory and innovative solutions to environmental problems. The code of ethics states that organizations play an important role in society as agents of change, promoting initiatives and businesses that face challenges in the pursuit of the public good through alternatives to environmental, social, and economic problems.
The work of organizations is recognized, but it is necessary to provide frameworks and conditions to strengthen internal and external trust and credibility.
Since 2010, Pro Eco Azuero has been dedicated to reforestation, habitat restoration, sustainable land management, and environmental education with the mission to preserve the earth’s ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and promote healthy communities by helping people to make informed decisions, take sustainable actions, and share knowledge.
Non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Our vision is a world where wetlands are valued and cared for due to their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide.