25 May We Were Part of the COP16!
Cover photo: Participants of the pre-COP16 course Green Strategies for Blue Ecosystems | by: CEMarin team
The Colombian Pacific, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, was the stage for one of the most important environmental events: the COP16. Different sectors came together to work for conservation, biodiversity protection, and territorial leadership.
Our participation in the COP16
Committed to immersive learning in the Colombian Pacific
Aware that the best way to learn is direct experience in the territory, we developed the Pre-COP16 course “Green Strategies for Blue Ecosystems,” held in the field and co-designed with local communities and CEMarin member institutions. Over four days, we went down the Pacific route -Buenaventura, Maguipi, Punta Soldado and Bahía Málaga- where we combined scientific knowledge with ancestral learning to provide key tools for implementing sustainable strategies for marine ecosystem protection.
We brought together 23 experts, researchers and enthusiasts from 9 countries, along with 7 CEMarin scholarship recipients, all encouraged to learn about the blue economy and its financing mechanisms, marine biodiversity, and participatory governance.
Photos taken by participants and CEMarin team
Our stand
Strengthening international cooperation and knowledge dissemination
Hosted by the German Embassy, we installed a stand in the green zone, where hundreds of people joined us to learn about the importance of the oceans through recreational and educational activities.
Our Activities
Our reflection
During COP16, the global agreement to identify and conserve ecologically significant marine areas in international waters was approved after eight years of negotiations, marking a major step forward for the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
However, in Colombia, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have not received the attention they require. In the words of Ximena Rojas Giraldo, marine biologist and specialist in coastal zone management: “In Colombia, little is said about Protected Areas because the country has traditionally failed to recognize its marine territory. There is no maritime awareness, the sea and its importance are ignored.”
In this context, COP16 represented an opportunity to strengthen the sense of belonging and commitment to the conservation of marine ecosystems. At CEMarin, we work for the oceans because we know first hand the scientific and academic potential that exists in Colombia. Our commitment is focused on promoting and coordinating collaborative research projects, fostering the development of scientific studies in the marine sciences. Through training, support, and the facilitation of new discoveries, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the protection of global biodiversity.
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