From October 7 – 10, the Cari-Bois Environmental News Network will be providing exclusive coverage of the 26th Congress of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC) with the support of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. This article was written by Cari-Bois Coordinator and Editor, Tyrell Gittens, to introduce readers to the Congress and its objectives.
As global conservation efforts focus on the implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC) will meet in St. Lucia for its 26th Congress to discuss strengthening and expanding partnerships with the region’s implementing bodies.
Organized by the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF), with support from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and the Environmental Investment Fund of El Salvador (FIAES) which hosts the RedLAC Secretariat, the Congress will run from October 7 – 10 and be themed 30x30x30: The Path to 2030.
During the Congress’ media launch in August, Chief Executive Officer of the SLUNCF, Craig Henry, described the theme as a timely recognition of the importance of Target 3 which aims to conserve 30 percent of the world’s terrestrial and marine habitats by 2030.
He added, “This theme promises to inspire and challenge us to think creatively and decisively as we address the pressing environmental issues of our time.”
This year’s Congress marks the first time RedLAC is hosting the event in the Eastern Caribbean and over 200 attendees from 20 countries are expected to participate.
In its country profile for St. Lucia, the Convention on Biological Diversity shares that the island is home to over 1,300 plant species, 160 birds, 250 reef fish, 50 coral species and endemic species like the St. Lucia parrot and St. Lucia whiptail lizard.
Organizers are hopeful that the island’s high degree of biodiversity, and international recognition as a biodiversity hotspot, will serve as additional inspiration for attendees to continue investing in the protection of the region’s biodiversity.
In her address at the media launch, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Karen McDonald Gayle, noted the Congress will help strengthen interrelationships between environmental funds in the region through capacity building and knowledge management.
Gayle explained, “This 26th RedLAC Conference in St Lucia provides an invaluable platform to build and encourage a stronger presence of Caribbean countries in this network and to reinforce our collective message of long-term environmental funding for the region.”
Building and expanding current partnerships helps further develop the capacity of RedLAC to respond to the needs of the region to expand its protected areas to achieve the 30 x 30 conservation goals of the GBF Target 3.
Since its establishment in 1999, RedLAC has developed and implemented financial mechanisms tailored to the needs of conservation efforts in the region.
Given the high biodiversity of the countries that RedLAC works within, it means RedLAC’s 32 members contribute to the protection of an estimated 50 percent of the world’s tropical forests, 41 percent of the world’s mammals, 33 percent of the total reptile species and 50 per cent of the world’s birds.
With its reach and relevance to regional conservation, the Congress therefore presents RedLAC members a space to exchange knowledge and experiences as well as nurture alliances with international environmental funds like the Consortium of African Environmental Funds (CAFE).
The timing of the Congress is also noteworthy as it takes place just a few weeks before the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia.
Before attending COP16, RedLAC members can use the Congress to do “stock take” on the progress made towards shared goals, identify successes, reflect on challenges, and discuss potential opportunities for conservation trust funds in the region.
Reflecting this, speakers at the event will include high-level experts from across the region and representatives from international organizations like Conservation International and the Nature Conservancy.
Congress participants will engage in discussions centering around the topics of carbon accounting, circularity, climate resilience and financing for blue/green projects.
Coastal ecologist and former Principal of the UWI Mona Campus, Prof. Dale Webber, will kick off the Congress in a keynote address meant to call on RedLAC members to recognize the importance of the GBF Target 3 and the work required to make it a reality.
To do this, Webber is expected to tap into his experiences as an advisor to the Government of Jamaica at global meetings and Chairman of a founding RedLAC member, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.
With the countdown on for this year’s Congress, organizers are committed to ensuring it’s a platform for meaningful dialogue and action to conserve the region’s wildlife and natural heritage which continues to be affected by climate change and biodiversity loss.
In brief remarks at the Congress media launch, RedLAC President, Jorge Oviedo, said, “The RedLAC 2024 Congress will be an event for conservation trust funds, all over the world, to meet with strategic allies, international cooperation partners, government representatives, and global leaders in conservation finance.”
