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Joint declaration on "Americas for the Protection of the Ocean" during the ninth Summit of the Americas

The undersigned governments:

Recognizing that the ocean covers three quarters of our planet, supplies nearly half the oxygen we breathe, absorbs over a quarter of the carbon dioxide we produce, plays a vital role in the water cycle and the climate system, and is an important source of our planet’s biodiversity and of ecosystem services. It connects our populations and markets and forms an important part of our natural and cultural heritage. It contributes to sustainable development and to sustainable ocean-based economies, as well as to poverty eradication, food security and nutrition, maritime trade and transportation, decent work, and livelihoods.

Aware of the adverse impacts of climate change on the ocean, including the rise in temperatures, ocean and coastal acidification, deoxygenation and associated changes in trophic cascades, sea level rise, the melting of polar ice caps, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.

Knowing that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing deprives many countries of a crucial natural resource and remains a persistent threat to their sustainable development.

Recalling the importance of achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources” within the set timelines, and the need to sustain action over the long term, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development, and respecting national policies and priorities.

Emphasizing the need to move towards effective global ocean protection and conservation, which aims to protect or conserve at least 30% of the ocean by the year 2030.

Aware that Marine Protected Areas, established and effectively managed; as well as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, provide multiple benefits, such as the protection of ecosystems, habitats, and unique species, the maintenance and recovery of fisheries, both in size and biomass, increases in tourism opportunities and local employment, and the sustainable development of coastal communities, among others.

Recognizing the importance of advancing regional mechanisms that allow for the development of scientific knowledge and the exchange of best practices with the objective of strengthening the processes of declaration and effective implementation of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures.

Have decided to:

  1. Establish a work plan that includes initiatives and actions to collaborate, coordinate or share experiences that:
    1. Promote cooperation among the national systems of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures
    2. Seek to identify opportunities to strengthen ocean conservation through the creation and effective implementation of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures in under-represented or unrepresented marine and coastal ecosystems while providing climatic, food, socio-economic and cultural benefits.
    3. Contribute to ecological connectivity in the region protecting essential habitats and migratory routes on a regional scale for marine mammals.
    4. Identify opportunities for national, regional, and global networks and initiatives of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, enhancing and strengthening existing ones such as the Marine Corridor of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (CMAR) and the work of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS).
    5. Promote the cooperation and regional exchange of experiences and best practices in effective and efficient management of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures.
    6. Promote exchanges and capacity building processes with partners and stakeholders associated with the administration, management, and protection of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures at the local, national, and regional levels.
    7. Strengthen the governance of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, contributing to the protection and sustainability of the ecosystem services they provide, promoting the engagement of local and indigenous communities.
    8. Strengthen scientific exchange and development, and promote the use of local and traditional knowledge for the effective management of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, including through international cooperation, to enhance scientific observation.
    9. Identify and promote Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures as nature-based tools to mitigate greenhouse gases and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
    10. Identify funding opportunities and alliances to implement properly the Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures that are associated with efforts from this declaration.
  2. Explore cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and with non-governmental entities, such as Civil Society Organizations, International Organizations, Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures managers, and Foundations, among others, who may collaborate on and participate in the attainment of these objectives, through the decided-upon modalities of meaningful participation.
  3. Work together to meet the goal of protecting or conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 including through the declaration and effective implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures.
  4. Make use of international conferences to meet and follow up on the implementation of the work plan.
  5. Establish a system of coordination that is expected to be managed by two countries on a biennial basis, starting with Chile and Canada with leadership then transferring to other countries in the coalition in alphabetical rotation.

Signed in Los Angeles, United States of America, on June 9, 2022, in English and Spanish.

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