Spanish

Dear friends and colleagues,

We are glad to close this year with conservation achievements from our region for the future of the planet.

In Oceans, Chile advanced an innovative proposal to train seventeen professionals for the management and administration of Marine Protected Areas from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

Regarding Forests, Paraguay presented the paper "Connected to the forests", in the "GRAMO Conversaciones" cycle, where leaders from different sectors shared experiences and emphasized the importance of making a commitment for the forests conservation.

In reference to Wildlife, Colombia presented a historical review on the transformation of their ecosystems and the impact of human beings. Argentina, presented the book "Reserva de Vida Silvestre San Pablo de Valdés - 10 years", that summarizes scientific information generated in 10 years of work in the Reserve.

Regarding Climate and Energy, Ecuador aimed at technology and citizen science with the "Chaquiñan Urbano" App in order to promote better public policies for sustainable mobility. In Peru, indigenous leaders shared successes in the conservation of their territories. Guyana trained key stakeholders on green and inclusive development through workshops. Guatemala organized a challenge for college students to motivate them to practice the 3Rs and responsible consumption. At COP23, the role of the Amazonian indigenous peoples and their territories was highlighted as vital elements to face the current climate crisis; and the countries' efforts to increase climate ambition were acknowledged by WWF. 

Finally, the WWF International Board introduced its new president: Pavan Sukhdev, to whom we give a warm welcome from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Enjoy the reading,

Roberto Troya

Vice president y Regional Director

WWF-LAC

The unprecedented experience of a trinational school of Marine Protected Areas

Three months of an unprecedented training initiative resulted in seventeen professionals linked to the management and administration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. The name of the course was Management of Marine Protected Areas of the Southern Cone, also called "School of MPAs", a unique pilot experience at a regional level, organized by the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence, in which WWF-Chile, WCS and Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (FVSA) participate, among others.
The objective of the initiative was to promote the construction of competencies in a comprehensive manner, aimed at addressing the obstacles, challenges and key actions that MPAs currently require.
 

Director of WWF-Paraguay presented a conference to a national and international audience.

Lucy Aquino, Director of WWF-Paraguay, presented "Connected to the forests" in the GRAMO Conversations cycle, on November 15 in Asuncion. She emphasized the importance of making a commitment for the care of forests, considering "Paraguay has one of the largest deforestation ranges in the world."
GRAMO Conversations is a conference cycle with a large dissemination platform. Through this space, leaders of diverse sectors share experiences and testimonies on topics of public interest and social causes. On the same day, the environmentalist and former member of Soda Stereo music group, Charly Alberti, was invited representing the organization Revolución 21 - Sustainable Latin America.

A major diagnosis of Colombia’s ecosystems

Colombia now has a historical review on the transformation of its ecosystems and the impact that human beings have had on them. All of this is contained in the Living Colombia Report 2017, developed by WWF-Colombia. This document presents new facts such as this one: almost half of the national ecosystems have undergone some kind of transformation. In the country, 85 major types of ecosystems have been identified but 20 are in critical condition (CR) and 17 are endangered (EN). The report also presents a concrete proposal to achieve an inclusive, equitable and low carbon economic development based on three strategies: to guarantee a space for nature; to strengthen effective social, political, legal and institutional governance and to promote sustainable markets and financial systems.

San Pablo de Valdés, 10 years of conservation in Southern Patagonia

On December 4, Vida Silvestre and CONICET presented the book "Reserva de Vida Silvestre San Pablo de Valdés - 10 years" in the city of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut in Patagonia, Argentina. The book contains all scientific information generated in 10 years of work in the Reserve, highlighting the unique qualities that transform it into one of the most relevant sites for research and conservation in Southern Patagonia. With 7,360 hectares, San Pablo de Valdés protects a significant portion of the Patagonian steppe, along with 12 kilometers of coastline.

Chaquiñan Urbano: technology and citizen science for the creation of inclusive and sustainable cities

WWF-Ecuador and its partners, Biciacción and the Association of Pedestrians of Quito, launched Chaquiñan Urbano, an App for smartphones created to collect information through GIS about pedestrians and cyclists: the routes they use and the obstacles and problems they might find while they are mobilizing. From this open data, WWF along and its partners seek to promote public policies for mobility, using updated and real data from the citizens. Its name - a colloquial term - refers to the roads or shortcuts that people use inside the city to move. Chaquiñan Urbano can be downloaded at wwf.org.ec/chaquinan_urbano.

Peruvian indigenous leaders shared success stories about conservation in their territories

After only one year of implementation in the field, the MDE Saweto achieved the recognition of 130 Native Communities in 5 regions of the Peruvian Amazon, which is the necessary previous step for its titling. It is expected that after the actions taken in November 2017, actions for the recognition of another 120 Native Communities and the titling of 84 Communities in 8 Amazonian regions begin. The historical average is 10 recognized communities per year; with MDE, over 10 communities have been recognized in one month, which paves the way for the subsequent certification that provides the necessary security to procure sustainable models of forest management.

Considering the environment in the face of inevitable oil exploration

Large quantities of oil reserves, as much as 2.5 billion barrels, have been found by ExxonMobil offshore Guyana, valued at approximately 100 billion US dollars. While the country could make good use of the expected income, the question arises about how oil exploitation fits with Guyana’s ambitions of a green economy. Therefore, WWF-Guianas brought key stakeholders together in Strategic Environmental Assessment workshops, that emphasized the examination of the impacts of economic activities such as oil and gas on ocean biodiversity, to allow for implementation of effective mitigation measures.

College challenge resulted in 18,175 pounds of recycling materials

Policy and data: How Amazon indigenous territories are the key for the Paris Agreement

During the event "Contributions of the Amazon Indigenous People to the NDCs", which was held at the WWF PandaHub during COP23, the vision of the Amazonian indigenous peoples, as well as their territories, were highlighted as vital to face the current climate crisis and to increase the ambition of Determined National Contributions (NDCs). Today, a good progress has been made in the UNFCCC thanks to the efforts of RIA, a mechanism that seeks to adapt REDD+ to the realities and complexities of indigenous territories, integrating its vision in policies and actions related to conservation.

COP23 puts a strong focus on ambition, even as countries defer immediate action

A year after the Paris Agreement entered into force, negotiations over the past two weeks have seen countries come to agreement on critical issues of pre-2020 action and support, and the role of gender, local communities and Indigenous Peoples in climate action.

WWF recognizes the progress made on laying the groundwork for increasing climate ambition up to 2020 and beyond, but notes that 2018 will be key for countries to clearly signal their intention to step up and enhance their climate plans.

Pavan Sukhdev named as new President of WWF International’s Board

The former head of UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative, Pavan Sukhdev, has been named as the new President of WWF International’s Board. Mr. Sukhdev replaces outgoing President Yolanda Kakabadse who steps down at the end of this year after eight years in the position.