To this end, Úrsula Parrilla, IUCN Regional Director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and Didacus Jules, Director General of OECO, signed a memorandum of understanding that defines strategic areas of cooperation between both organizations towards joint integrated responses to improve resilience and prosperity in the participating countries.
According to the official OECS website, IUCN is the largest and most diverse environmental network in the world, leveraging the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 member organizations and 15,000 experts.
His mission, he added, is to influence, encourage and help societies around the world to preserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that every use of natural resources is equitable and environmentally sustainable.
The agreement, the statement said, will allow for a broadening of collaboration and governance in various areas related to environmental sustainability, such as regional environmental information systems; conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; management and reduction of plastic waste; promoting green, blue and circular economy approaches; Management of protected areas, among others.
Through global initiatives, as well as national and regional programs coordinated by the IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, IUCN currently manages an approximately US$13 million portfolio of projects in the Caribbean region.
Founded in 1981, OECS consists of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Monserrat.
Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Martinique and the British Virgin Islands are other associated territories.
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