Tarapoto, May 2024. From May 8 to 10, the I National Meeting for the Exchange of Experiences between Regional Conservation Areas will be held in Tarapoto. This event seeks to promote the exchange of knowledge on the management of Regional Conservation Areas (RCAs) in Peru, proposing solutions to current and future challenges. In addition, it focuses on strengthening the integration of RCAs into public policies and establishing cooperation networks between regional governments and institutions, with the objective of improving regional conservation and benefits for local communities.
According to the MEF’s Friendly Consultation, of the 55.7 billion soles allocated in the public budget of regional governments, less than 0.5% is allocated to functions related to the environment (275 million soles), which represents a challenge for the management and sustainability of the RCAs.
In this context, during this event, the “ACR+, Sustainability of Regional Conservation Areas” project was launched as a regional conservation model that seeks to create solid foundations in the budgets to ensure that the RCAs are even more sustainable.
In addition, it seeks to prioritize the conservation of RCAs in 9 regions: Amazonas, San Martin, Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna and Cusco, to contribute to biodiversity in an integral manner and connected with nationally administered natural protected areas and improve the management conditions and financial sustainability of RCAs, as well as establish new areas in collaboration with SERNANP.
Jeanette Noborikawa, coordinator of the ACR+ Project, stated: “We need to continue advancing along a joint path that will allow the GOREs to initially access a larger public budget to ensure minimum operating conditions for the conservation of the RCAs and later to have diversified financing mechanisms.”
As part of the congress, workshops were also held during which participants exchanged opinions on the roadmap needed to strengthen the management of RCAs in Peru.
Finally, the project seeks to highlight the articulated commitment of the Ministry of the Environment through the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State – SERNANP, the regional governments and Profonanpe to contribute to the sustainability of regional conservation areas. The event was attended by José Carlos Nieto, head of Sernanp, Carlos Villavicencio, Manager of the Regional Environmental Authority of the Regional Government of San Martin, Anton Willems, executive director of Profonanpe, Patricia Donayre, technical secretary of the National Assembly of Regional Governments and Jeanette Noborikawa, coordinator of the ACR+ project and the presence of representatives of 22 RCAs from 19 regions of the country.
About the First National Congress for the Exchange of Experiences among Regional Conservation Areas
This congress is organized by the Regional Government of San Martin and the National Assembly of Regional Governments with the collaboration of Conservation International – CI, Andes Amazon Fund – AAF, CIMA-Cordillera Azul, Sernanp, Profonanpe and the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law – SPDA.
