By Zoila Palma: Belize has joined Madagascar and 14 other countries in pledging to strengthen women’s leadership in marine conservation and blue economy development through the Women Ocean Guardians Initiative.
The commitment was announced at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD CoP17), adding Belize to a growing coalition focused on placing women at the forefront of ocean governance and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, highlighted the important role Belizean women play in protecting the country’s marine environment. “Belize has always punched above its weight in marine conservation,” Habet said. “But our success has never been an accident of geography—it is the result of the dedication, wisdom, and leadership of our women on the coast.”
The latest commitments bring the initiative’s support to more than 50 signed pledges, including 16 governments and over 30 partner organizations. The coalition’s progress is credited to the collective leadership of 75 women ocean guardians from 33 countries.
The initiative seeks to address gaps in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 23, which focuses on gender equality, and Target 3, which aims to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030. Reports indicate that gender-responsive approaches remain among the least advanced areas of the global biodiversity commitments, while inclusive governance and effective management continue to pose challenges to the 30×30 target.
The Women Ocean Guardians Initiative was convened by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to create opportunities for women working on the frontlines of conservation to influence decisions and lead marine protection efforts.
GEF CEO Diego Mesa Puyo said the initiative demonstrates the importance of bringing together financing, policy and community leadership. Wildlife Conservation Society Marine 30×30 Director Pamela Castillo also emphasized that women’s participation is essential to achieving global ocean conservation goals, stating, “We cannot protect the ocean without the women ocean guardians.”
The initiative has established three regional hubs covering Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.
The post Belize joins Global initiative to strengthen women’s leadership in Ocean Conservation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Belize has joined Madagascar and 14 other countries in pledging to strengthen women’s leadership in marine conservation and blue economy development through the Women Ocean Guardians Initiative. The commitment was announced at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD CoP17), adding Belize to a growing coalition focused on placing women at the forefront
The post Belize joins Global initiative to strengthen women’s leadership in Ocean Conservation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
