Inter-parliamentary Meeting to Promote Legislative Action for the Conservation of Marine Biodiversity in the South Pacific Ocean
On Monday, August 17, ParlAmericas and the National Assembly of Ecuador held a meeting with the legislatures of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru to discuss the work and experiences of these parliaments in the adoption of measures encouraging sustainable fishing and the protection of endangered marine species, in accordance with existing international standards, including regulatory and control measures for the protection of oceans.
The President of the National Assembly of Ecuador, César Litardo, opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of working together for the conservation of marine biodiversity: “The only way to find a direct solution to these processes is for us to do so in a joint and coordinated manner…You can count on the full support of the legislature of Ecuador, of its president’s office, to work hand in hand with the region so that we can join together to achieve the objective of protecting our seas and ecosystems and seek joint sustainable solutions for the development of the region and the world.”
Member of the National Assembly of Ecuador Elizabeth Cabezas, President of ParlAmericas, highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy addressing environmental issues and supporting the progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and underscored that: “At ParlAmericas, a parliamentary institution composed of the legislatures of the Americas and the Caribbean, we advocate for cooperative political dialogue and the strengthening of our democratic system…Our environment and climate change have no borders, so environmental and human health depends on us working together to explore ways to achieve a social, economic and environmental balance that takes the future generations into account.”
The meeting included a presentation by Dr. Alejandro Flores Nava, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Latin America and the Caribbean, who commented on the state of fisheries in the Southeast Pacific Basin and the challenges and socioeconomic benefits of implementing measures aimed at protecting and maintaining sustainable levels of fish populations. Lawyer María Amparo Albán, Senior Partner at the Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS), provided a legal perspective on the issue, in line with the precautionary principle, and shared information on the legal frameworks and multilateral environmental agreements relevant to marine conservation in the South Pacific.
The presentations were followed by an inter-parliamentary dialogue, with the participation of the representatives of the invited parliaments. They presented the actions taken and challenges faced by parliaments in relation to the conservation of marine biodiversity and the regulation of fisheries, for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.” The meeting ended with closing remarks by Member of the National Assembly of Ecuador Elizabeth Cabezas, President of ParlAmericas.
For further information on the work carried out by ParlAmericas, visit www.parlamericas.org and follow @ParlAmericas on social media.
