BOGOTA, Colombia – CAF promotes the implementation of the Chicó-Bogotá Declaration, allocating funding and creating a scientific advisory committee to integrate biodiversity into the region’s policies
In the face of the growing climate crisis and the alarming loss of biodiversity, Latin America and the Caribbean have taken a fundamental step with theChicó-Bogotá Declaration for Positive Biodiversity, an initiative driven by leading researchers, academics, and scientists from the region to integrate scientific knowledge into policymaking for ecosystem conservation and restoration.
The ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean are home to more than 60 percent of the world’s biodiversity, but they are also among the most threatened. Deforestation, uncontrolled urban expansion, pollution, and climate change are causing accelerated degradation of natural resources. Given this situation, the Chicó-Bogotá Declaration seeks to promote scientific research, international cooperation, and the financing of projects that ensure the restoration, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity as a fundamental pillar for the region’s sustainable development.
The document establishes key commitments, including: integrating science into decision-making, strengthening collaborative networks, promoting nature-based solutions, and creating monitoring systems to assess the state of ecosystems and the effectiveness of implemented policies. The transition toward positive biodiversity requires the active participation of society, as well as the strengthening of environmental education and public awareness programs. Furthermore, it is essential that local communities and productive sectors be involved in developing innovative solutions and adopting sustainable practices in their environments.
CAF, as the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, has assumed a key role in the implementation of the Declaration. In this regard, it has established apositive biodiversity agenda based on three main pillars: the integration of science into policymaking, the financing of projects with a positive impact on biodiversity and climate, and the strengthening of regional technical collaboration networks. As part of this commitment, CAF has created a specialized scientific advisory committee that will collaborate with governments, multilateral organizations, and the private sector to generate recommendations based on scientific evidence. This committee will play a key role in identifying priority areas for investment in conservation and in designing innovative financial mechanisms that channel resources toward sustainability projects.
CAF will also allocate funds to finance projects aimed at ecosystem restoration, the promotion of nature-based solutions, and the sustainable management of natural resources. These investments seek to generate a positive impact on biodiversity and improve the quality of life of local communities, aligning economic development with environmental conservation. In addition, it will promote the creation of collaborative networks among scientists, researchers, policymakers, and private sector actors to facilitate knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in environmental conservation and restoration.
To ensure the impact of these initiatives, CAF will develop monitoring and impact evaluation systems to measure progress in the implementation of the Chicó-Bogotá Declaration and adjust strategies based on the results obtained. These systems will ensure that the actions undertaken contribute to ecosystem conservation and the well-being of the communities that depend on them. In addition, CAF is promoting the training of professionals in strategic ecosystem management and biodiversity project development, thus strengthening technical and operational capacity in the region. CAF has also initiated a dialogue with the productive sectors to generate economic incentives that promote more sustainable business practices aligned with biodiversity conservation.
The participation of the scientific community and all key stakeholders will be crucial to the success of this initiative. Applications are open to researchers and experts interested in contributing to strengthening biodiversity management in Latin America and the Caribbean. Those interested can register through the CAF website and become part of a network of experts committed to the region’s environmental future.
The Chicó-Bogotá Declaration represents a unique opportunity to transform the development model of Latin America and the Caribbean and place biodiversity at the center of public and economic policies. Through the collaboration and commitment of governments, institutions, the private sector, and the scientific community, the region will be able to advance toward a development model in which biodiversity is synonymous with resilience, well-being, and sustainable progress. In this regard, it is vital to strengthen environmental awareness and education at all levels, enabling future generations to understand the importance of biodiversity and its role in the ecological and economic stability of the region.
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