Posted on August, 11 2015

In August 12-14, Peru will host the first Board meeting of the Latin American Network for National Parks and other Protected Areas, Wild Fauna and Flora Technical Cooperation (REDPARQUES), with the participation of directors and experts from the agencies in charge of the national systems in 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Uruguay, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, Honduras, French Guyana, Chile, Bolivia, Panama and Venezuela).  

On the first day of the event, Peru and Colombia will sign a binational agreement for joint actions under development by both countries to ensure the adequate management of their protected areas, as well for the sustainable development of the communities in their geographical scope. The signatories of the agreement are the Peruvian official agency for protected areas -- Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP) – and its Colombian counterpart - Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia.  

There will also be a discussion on the REDPARQUES statement proposal on the theme of climate change and protected areas. The statement will be delivered at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change – 21^st Conference of the Parts - COP 21, which will take place in Paris in 2016.  The document will stress the vital role of protected areas to fight climate change, as well as the natural solutions they provide as part of a mitigation and adaptation strategy.

The program of the Board meeting also includes a presentation of successful experiences developed within the framework of this Latin American network.  The highlights include the marine and coastal group and the communications network involving five countries, which are members of REDPARQUES.  There will also be a proposal for new groups, including the sustainable tourism network and the information network.  

The program for the second day of the meeting includes a presentation on the progress achieved by REDPARQUES projects:  Amazon Vision – Protected Areas: Natural Solutions to face Climate Change (SNACC), and Amazon Protected Areas Integration (IAPA). An update on the 2016-2020 Action Plan for this Latin American network is also scheduled.  The meeting will close with a visit to Lachay National Reserve, a protected area located in the Lima area.  The visitors will get to know the unique coastal hills ecosystems.  

Did you know that the present REDPARQUES Regional Leader is Peru? In 2014, SERNANP took up this important task for the 2014-2016 term, and this meant a great opportunity for regional leadership in the protected area theme in Latin America.  
 
Lima, August 10, 2015  
SERNANP Communications