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Lima, Peru, September 16, 2024 – The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (FIIB), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥), and its World Commission on Protected Areas (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ WCPA), in coordination with Re:Wild, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Bezos Earth Fund, the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully hosted the Regional Dialogue on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the course of three days, from September 11 to 13, more than 70 participants from 16 countries, including representatives from civil society, Indigenous organizations, international bodies, and conservation experts, gathered in Lima to reflect on the progress and challenges of the OECMs framework and to define a Collaborative OECMs Agenda 2025-2030.

The event provided an inclusive and equitable space, focused on how OECMs can contribute to achieving the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 3. Special attention was given to the protection of Indigenous and traditional territories, recognizing their essential role in biodiversity conservation, as well as the complementarity between protected areas, OECMs, and Indigenous and traditional territories.

© @Pablo Arturo López Guijosa / UICN

The dialogue also provided a crucial space for Indigenous and community representatives to express their concerns and proposals. "Indigenous territories face constant threats, but we are ready to confront them together with the rest of the world. We cannot discuss conservation without considering that human life itself is at risk," said Ramiro Batzín, representative of the Indigenous Biodiversity Forum and Vice President of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥.

Lucía Ruiz Bustos, Director of Conserved Areas at WWF-USA, stated that "OECMs represent a unique opportunity to bring about a paradigm shift in the biodiversity agenda, allowing the recognition, strengthening, and protection of conservation efforts outside protected areas, with a rights-based approach."

Andrew Rhodes, Vice President of WCPA and Director of Public Relations at Innovaciones Alumbra for Mexico, emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality in conservation: "If we want to live in harmony with nature, we must insist on constant monitoring and equitable, collaborative work. It’s not just about protecting 30% of the planet, but doing so effectively and fairly." Rhodes also highlighted the need for approaches that honor communities, regenerate and integrate biodiversity, and promote prosperity and well-being.

© @Pablo Arturo López Guijosa / UICN

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Clara Matallana, focal point for the OECMs Specialist Group for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ WCPA, emphasized that "governance is a key element in OECMs. It is essential to consider who makes decisions, how decisions are made, and how benefits are distributed," underscoring the need for inclusive governance.

Meanwhile, Donald Rojas, from the International Indigenous Peoples Forum, stressed that "the goal is not just to achieve the 30x30 target, but to care for the planet and its people." He highlighted that "nature has a defined territory, and Indigenous peoples are allies that transcend borders," and emphasized the need to align key concepts such as free, prior, and informed consent to ensure that Indigenous rights are respected in conservation processes.

This dialogue identified priority actions to be implemented between 2025 and 2030, focusing on the following aspects: i) Enabling conditions and capacity development, ii) Regulatory frameworks, iii) Marine and freshwater OECMs, iv) Non-financial incentives and benefits, v) Communication and outreach, vi) Free, prior, and informed consent and safeguards, vii) Monitoring of effective conservation, viii) Strengthening governance in reported OECMs, and ix) Long-term financing. Among the most significant outcomes of the event is the OECMs Collaborative Agenda 2025-2030 for Latin America and the Caribbean.

This agenda will be presented at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) and other international events, to assist regional actors in the identification, recognition, reporting, and monitoring of OECMs in an effective, inclusive, and rights-respectful manner.

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