Source: SICA Newsroom
The document, entitled "Beyond the Jaguar, Region 1: Central America and the Caribbean" is an analysis carried out by the European Commission in coordination with multiple partners in Central America and the Caribbean. This report focuses on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, describing the key characteristics of the region, the main threats to its ecosystems, wildlife and the ecosystem services they provide, compiling lessons learned and highlighting promising approaches.
The presentation of the Study, held through a public webinar on July 11, was co-organized by CCAD and the European Union.
In his opening remarks, the European Union Ambassador to El Salvador and Representative to SICA, François Roudié, noted that "Beyond the Jaguar is a tool designed to foster dialogue between the European Union and its partners in Latin America and the Caribbean on the need to protect biodiversity in these regions. The focus of today's component of the study is Central America and the Caribbean, an area particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. We can no longer afford to be inefficient. It is essential to have the best information to achieve the best coordination among all the actors in the fight against these challenges," said the diplomat.
For his part, the Executive Secretary of CCAD, Jair Urriola Quiroz, pointed out that the SICA region, which includes the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic, has a high biological diversity, which constitutes a strategic asset to promote sustainable development in the region.
"At a time when there is talk of a post-Covid green recovery, the ministers of environment of the region have unanimously pointed out that it is essential to maintain the balance of ecosystems to ensure the provision of environmental goods and services, since their degradation and deterioration has repercussions on the emergence of new threats and risks to human security," he said.
The study was presented by León Merlot, consultant for the European Union's B4Life Initiative. Afterwards, a panel of experts included Úrsula Parrilla, Regional Director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN; Jeremy Radachowsky, Regional Director for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean of the Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS; and Jesús Amadeo Martínez, Senior Advisor of the Central American Indigenous Council, CICA, who presented their views on the main biodiversity challenges in Central America and the potential uses of this type of analysis for the region.
The moderation was in charge of Stanley Arguedas, from the Latin American School of Protected Areas and part of the authors of the Study.
Source: SICA Newsroom