IMPAC 4 ends with a Call for Action for the Oceans by Chile

International endorsement to the “Call to Action for the Oceans”, held at the High-Level Meeting in Viña del Mar, sealed the 4th International Marine Protected Areas Congress, IMPAC 4, September 9th.
The closing ceremony was led by the President of the Republic of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, in the company of H.M.. Alberto II of Monaco and the Ministers of the Environment and Foreign Affairs of this nation, Marcelo Mena and Heraldo Muñoz, respectively.

With the endorsement of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay, French Polynesia, France, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Peru and Senegal, as well as three United Nations agencies – the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO; the UN Organization for Science, Education and Culture, UNESCO; and the UN Development Program, UNDP, the book of signatures of the Call for Action for the Oceans was opened this Saturday, September 9.

The document was officially presented by the Minister of the Environment of Chile and Chairman of IMPAC 4, Marcelo Mena, at the close of the High-Level Meeting of the 4th International Marine Protected Areas Congress, IMPAC 4, on September  9^th in Viña del Mar, Chile.

According to the authority, the Call for Action seeks to unite all the nations of the world around the Congress’ moto, “Bringing People and the Oceans together”, which was the cross-cutting theme of IMPAC 4 discussions in La Serena-Coquimbo ( 4 to 8 September), in favor of the protection of the world ocean and the sustainable use of marine resources.

“During this week, Chile had the honor of hosting the world’s largest ocean conservation meeting, IMPAC 4. We witnessed this great space of discussion between actors from the world of science, a diversity of governments, community representatives, members of civil society, conservation organizations and international organizations that contributed with their vision to the document that we present today to the world, the Call for Action for the Oceans”, said.

The Chilean Minister urged the attendees of the High-Level Meeting to bring and spread this message in their respective countries, noting that conservation is not possible without society understanding and embracing this cause.

Mena thanked the support of those who have already signed the Call for Action and said the period to add new favorable expressions will be open until October 31. “We know that many will come to this Call, because efforts to save our oceans and achieve Aichi Target 11, 10% protection, and also integrate strategies and policies to the Sustainable Development Goal 14, cannot be isolated efforts”, emphasized.

President of Chile at the High-Level Meeting

The Call for Action was preceded by a meeting led by the President of the Republic of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, who said, “as stated in IMPAC 4, it is very important that we bring  people and the oceans together, that is to say , that we know how to add to the public, from education, knowledge, access to the oceans”.

The Minister of the Environment, Marcelo Mena, said “the announcement made today by President Bachelet, regarding the creation of Magallanes Marine Areas Network in Chile, makes us witness an historic protection achievement”. The Network is composed of three MPAs: Francisco Coloane Marine Park (15.06km2); Cabo de Hornos Marine Park (140,000 km2) and AMP Seno del Admirantazgo (1,152 km2). With this, and Rapa Nui and Juan Fernández MPAs, the protection of exclusive economic zones increases from a 4.3% in year 2014, to 46% in year 2018.

Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister, Heraldo Muñoz said “in order to achieve the proposed objectives for marine protection, such as the recent announcement of a Coastal Marine Protected Area of ​​Multiple Uses (AMCP-MU) in Rapa Nui, cooperation among States is a must. IMPAC 4 has created a space for that dialogue”.

Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister, Heraldo Muñoz said “in order to achieve the proposed objectives for marine protection, such as the recent announcement of a Coastal Marine Protected Area of ​​Multiple Uses (AMCP-MU) in Rapa Nui, cooperation among States is a must. IMPAC 4 has created a space for dialogue”.

H.M. Alberto II of Monaco, who attended the High-Level Meeting, said human beings must become aware of changes in the environment, and preserve biodiversity. Society, he said, has a responsibility to address climate change, and damage to flora and fauna on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. “As much as possible, we need to establish MPAs in the world. We need to develop networks to ensure effective protection, greater coordination for the use of our seas, actively and progressively discussing, aiming at the conservation of the oceans”.

Chile signs cooperation agreement with the Government of France

In addition to a series of announcements on ocean conservation by the authorities attending the High-Level Meeting, Chile’s Minister of the Environment, Marcelo Mena, officially announced a cooperation agreement with the Agency for Biodiversity, Government of France. The agreement, presented by the Chilean Minister and Serge Segura, Ambassador of the Oceans of the Government of France, aims to learn about new and better practices on ocean conservation, providing tools for effective conservation in terms of control, implementation, and MPA management plans.