Marine Protections Triple in Eastern Tropical Pacific as Connect to Protect Coalition Exceeds $150M Ocean Conservation Goal

Today at the UN Ocean Conference, the Connect to Protect Coalition announced it has surpassed its original $150 million pledge, mobilizing more than $165.3 million to protect marine ecosystems across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, one of the most biodiverse and ecologically vital ocean regions on Earth.

This milestone supports the tripling of marine protected areas across the biologically rich waters of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, reinforcing government leadership and the Coalition’s role in advancing lasting ocean conservation and supporting the coastal communities that depend on these vital ecosystems.

Launched at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, the Coalition has grown to include 18 international donors, up from 16 at inception. To date, more than 85 percent of committed funds have been disbursed, accelerating national efforts to expand and manage marine protected areas, secure durable financing, and strengthen cross-border coordination.

Since 2021, countries across the Eastern Tropical Pacific have added more than 40 million hectares of new marine protections, tripling the amount of protected ocean area in the region. This 275 percent increase reflects a bold regional commitment to conservation and climate resilience, positioning the Eastern Tropical Pacific as a global model for ocean stewardship.  

In Ecuador, the Galápagos and Hermandad marine reserves are supported by satellite monitoring, rapid-response patrol vessels, and joint enforcement efforts. The interception capacity of Galápagos National Park has doubled in just two years – a record timeframe – and patrols have seized illegal fishing vessels during monthly operations.

Regionally, efforts are advancing to establish a UNESCO-recognized transboundary marine biosphere reserve, the first of its kind, that would link key habitats across the four countries. Further, establishment of a permanent secretariat for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) has strengthened its role as a key coordinating body in the region and will help secure management of marine protected areas across national boundaries. 

To ensure these gains are lasting, the Coalition is working with CMAR to support the creation of durable financial mechanisms. Ecuador’s $1.6 billion debt swap will direct $450 million toward conservation, while Costa Rica’s Blue Fund supports implementation of offshore protected areas; Colombia is implementing a Project Finance for Permanence initiative that supports marine areas; and Panama is developing a Project Finance for Permanence. These mechanisms are helping countries break free from short-term funding cycles and implement more sustainable conservation models. The partnership is committed to developing long-term finance mechanisms to ensure regional coordination and conservation efforts are sustained.

As climate impacts intensify and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten marine ecosystems, conserving the Eastern Tropical Pacific has never been more urgent. The Connect to Protect Coalition’s support for country-led initiatives offers an impactful model for achieving large-scale, durable ocean conservation, anchored in national leadership, regional collaboration, and durable financing.

By integrating biodiversity protection with efforts to enhance community livelihoods, this approach not only strengthens climate and ecological resilience but also delivers tangible socio-economic benefits to coastal populations. These efforts directly advance Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water, and accelerate progress toward the global 30x30 target to protect 30 percent of the world’s ocean by 2030.

Quotes from Members

Patricia León, Associate Director for Nature Conservation, Bezos Earth Fund

“Surpassing this goal shows what’s possible when collaboration becomes a force behind real progress. The Bezos Earth Fund sees the Eastern Tropical Pacific as a critical example of effective 30x30, and the Connect to Protect Coalition is proving how collective investment can turn ambition into lasting protection.”

Kathleen Fitzgerald, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Project Director, Enduring Earth

"Remarkable progress has been made in protecting the globally significant Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), thanks to the unified efforts of governments, NGOs, and funders. The Pew Charitable Trusts, through the Enduring Earth collaboration, is committed to ensuring this progress leads to sustained impact for both people and nature, and will continue collaborating with the four CMAR countries to develop a durable finance mechanism."

Fred Boltz, Head of Programming, Global Environment Facility

“This great initiative shows what extraordinary Ocean impacts can be achieved when countries cooperate to fulfill a common conservation vision. The GEF is proud to support these four countries in their cooperative management of the globally important marine ecosystems of the CMAR, including through a recently approved $16 million project.”

Frank Broesamlen, Senior Portfolio Manager Biodiversity and Natural Resources for Latin America and the Caribbean Division, KfW

“On behalf of the German government, KfW Development Bank is pleased to contribute to this important milestone for ocean protection. The progress made in the Eastern Tropical Pacific shows how sustained regional cooperation and innovative financing can deliver lasting benefits for both nature and people.”

Johnny Briggs, Director, Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

"The coalition has delivered a strong model for large-scale, durable ocean conservation, and Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy is pleased to have played a role in its success. Beyond the expansion of protected areas, the focus on long-term financial mechanisms and strengthened regional governance ensures these vital marine ecosystems will thrive for generations. This is the kind of bold, collaborative action needed to secure the health of our planet's ocean.”