Posted on December, 13 2012

• New agreement strengthens collaboration between the two institutions for the benefit of nature
• The event was an opportunity for the President of WWF International, Yolanda Kakabadse, to give formal recognition to Minister of the Environment, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal for its outstanding work

Lima, December 13, 2012 - Peru's Ministry of the Environment (MINAM) and WWF signed an agreement to enhance their conservation work within the country, at an event held at the Swissotel in San Isidro. It should be noted that throughout the years, WWF has worked in support of the Peruvian government in the improved management of natural protected  areas and forest resources, among others, with a long history of success.

"As WWF, we are very pleased to have signed this document, because we want to reaffirm our commitment to support the Ministry, as well as the current administration, with its social inclusion and environmental sustainability agenda", said Patricia Leon-Melgar, Director of WWF Peru.

The event was attended by Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF International, who expressed her satisfaction with the work in Peru, where there is a spirit of cooperation between civil society organizations and government agencies such as the MINAM. In this regard, she said "we have to continue cooperating. One of the most important merits of Manuel Pulgar-Vidal in the Ministry is that he has opened the doors to civil society, to listen, work and plan together the objectives of the country".

Kakabadse also took the opportunity to present a recognition to Pulgar - Vidal, in honor of his "outstanding and committed work as Minister of the Environment, for the conservation of nature and national sustainable development".

This recognition comes weeks after the declaration of the Güeppi Sekime National Park and the Airo Pai and Huimeki Communal Reserves in late October. These were driven by the trinational program, which was signed by the Ministries of the Environment of Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, and supported by WWF and the European Union, among other institutions.

For his part, the Minister highlighted the importance of a joint effort between the State and civil society, and made a special mention of WWF's work in and outside the country. "We would like to thank WWF for its effort and dedication for what they are doing for the planet and Peru as to build a common future, which is the conservation of nature", he stated.

The declaration of these new natural protected areas is only the latest of several advances in terms of biodiversity conservation for the benefit of local populations being made by Peru's Ministry of the Environment, in processes that have been supported by WWF.

The event was attended by representatives of various international aid agencies, members of national and international NGOs, as well as representatives of organizations that carry out activities for the conservation of the natural heritage of our country.