On 20 and 21st February 2025, the 2nd edition of the MSPforum in Latin America and the Caribbean took place in Panama, organized back to back with a regional training on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). It allowed 81 participants from 30 countries in America and the Caribbean to engage in both events.
The 2nd MSPforum for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was an opportunity to discuss the implementation of MSP processes in the region, particularly when developing transboundary cooperation, enhancing the sustainability of the blue economy and understanding how it can impact biodiversity and the nexus between climate and ocean. These three thematic pillars guided each of the panels and round-table discussions.
The forum was organized within the context of the Updated MSProadmap by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) and its Sub Commission IOCARIBE as well as with the following partners:
- Ministry of Environment of Panama (MiAmbiente)
- United Nations Office for Project Services – UNOPS
- Caribbean Environment Programme – UNEP-CEP – Cartagena Convention Secretariat
- Permanent Commission for the South Pacific – CPPS
- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States – OECS
- Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism – CRFM
- Caribbean Biodiversity Fund – CBF
- World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF
While the first forum edition was online, this one took place in person and therefore we were able to kick off with a field trip to the Panama Canal, one of the most important maritime channels in the world. The participants got to observe the operation on the canal and also learn about maritime traffic separation schemes used to reduce the risk of collision with marine mammals during their migration periods.
After sharing reflections and learnings about the field trip, it was time for the first session on the Sustainable Blue Economy. The panellists of CBF, UNOPS, CRFM and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil), addressed policy coherence, sustainable blue financing, gender and the fishing sector. Like all forum panels led by MSPglobal, it followed round-table discussions and a wrap-up to summarize the most important learnings.
Day 2 of the forum continued with a session on transboundary MSP in which the speakers addressed the Caribbean TDA/SAP and Ocean Coordination Mechanism, the OECS MSP Framework / ECROP and two cross-boundary case studies of the region: between Argentina and Uruguay; and between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The panellists were from UNOPS, OECS, the National University of Mar del Plata (Argentina) and the Institute of Marine Affairs (Trinidad and Tobago).
The final session on Biodiversity & Climate and Ocean Nexus for MSP consisted of a panel with speakers from UNEP, CPPS, the Nature Conservancy and the Secretary pro tempore of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR). They highlighted Regional Seas and area-based management tools in the Caribbean and Pacific, the 30×30 target (30% MPA by 2030) and marine corridors of MPAs.
Regional MSP Training for Latin America and the Caribbean
In the same week, on 18 and 19 February 2025, the regional MSP training for Latin America and the Caribbean took place back to back with the MSPforum. This activity happened within the framework of the MSPglobal programme and the projects IW:LEARN and PROCARIBE+, with the support of the co-organisers of the MSPforum for LAC. The goal was to develop and build capacities for the implementation of MSP processes in the region.
Besides introductory sessions on the basics of MSP regarding biodiversity, climate change, data assessments and more, it was the first time that the training additionally included a combination of two hands-on exercises:
One of the exercises led by UNESCO-IOC for example consisted of developing a plan from a regional perspective. For that, the participants came up with a vision for the region and formulated a plan with objectives, actions, actors, indicators, etc. while prioritizing the climate, biodiversity, and the blue economy. Then they developed a national plan taking into account the regional one as well as the environmental, economic and social aspects of each country.
In preparation for the training, participants were also invited to complete the MSPglobal online training course available in English, Spanish and French here.
We thank all co-organizers for supporting these events and all participants for their engagement during this intensive and insightful week in Panama.
DOCUMENTS:
Regional MSP Training Panama:
- Introduction to MSP
- Marine Protection & Restoration and Climate-smart MSP
- Data and assessments for MSP
- Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) / Strategic Action Programme (SAP)
- Sustainable Blue Economy
- Breakout session: Stakeholder engagement
- Hands-on: MSP Challenge board game
2nd MSPforum Latin America and the Caribbean:
- Opening
- Stakeholder visit
- Sustainable Blue Economy
- Transboundary MSP
- Biodiversity & Climate and Ocean Nexus for MSP
- Closing
CONTACT:
MSPglobal.comm@unesco.org
