Heading to the UN Ocean Conference in Nice? Join us in the Blue Zone on Thursday, June 12 from 3:45–5:00 p.m. for a dynamic conversation on "Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: Science, Surveillance, and Partnerships for Action."
Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Science, Surveillance, and Partnerships for Action
🗓 Thursday, June 12, 2025
🕒 3:45–5:00 p.m.
📍 Blue Zone, UN Ocean Conference – Nice, France
Overview
The Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) is one of the most biologically rich and ecologically significant marine regions on Earth, encompassing critical ecosystems from the Galápagos Islands to Cocos Island and beyond. This side event at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference convenes ministers, scientists, and conservation leaders to spotlight how scientific research, cutting-edge enforcement technologies, and cross-sectoral partnerships are advancing ocean conservation across national boundaries.
Through an engaging panel format, the session will spotlight breakthroughs in marine research, collaborative enforcement, and scalable governance models supporting cross-border conservation. It will also feature regional initiatives such as the "Connect to Protect" donors coalition, which is catalyzing resources and action to secure biodiversity, fisheries and coastal resilience across the ETP.
With high-level participation from government officials and leading conservation organizations, the event will underscore the importance of collaboration to accelerate the implementation of SDG 14 and achieve lasting protection of this globally important region. The session will emphasize replicable models that can be scaled to other global biodiversity hotspots.
Objectives
- Highlight science-driven and transboundary marine conservation initiatives across the ETP.
- Share innovations in monitoring, surveillance, and governance that enhance marine protection.
- Strengthen regional collaboration to support ecological connectivity, effective enforcement and sustainable ocean management.
- Promote funding coalitions and public-private partnerships to scale impact and long-term stewardship.
Speakers (Tentative)
- Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment, Panama
- Stuart Banks, Senior Marine Ecologist, Charles Darwin Foundation
- Manuel Bravo, Ecuador Director for WildAid
- César Peñaherrera, Member and scientist, MigraMar
- Gina Cuza, Director of Area Conservacion Marina Cocos, SINAC
- Karl Campbell, Strategic Initiatives Director for Latin America, Re:wild
- Moderator: Patricia León, Nature Conservation Associate Director, Bezos Earth Fund
Organizing Partners
Ministry of Environment of Panama; Ministerio del Ambiente, Agua y Transición Ecológica (Ecuador); Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (Costa Rica); Área de Conservación Marina Coco (Costa Rica); Dirección del Parque Nacional Galápagos (Ecuador); Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF); Fundación Amigos de la Isla de Coco (Costa Rica); WildAid; Fundación Jocotoco; Blue Action Fund; Re:wild; Blue Nature Alliance; Fundación Pacífico; Global Fishing Watch; OceanMind; Joint Analytical Cell; MigraMar; INVEMAR; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI); CIMAR (University of Costa Rica).
Related Publications and Initiatives
- How the Bezos Earth Fund is Supporting the Boldest Conservation Idea Ever Proposed | Bezos Earth Fund
- New Initiative Launches to Support Deep Ocean Exploration and Conservation in Galapagos and the Eastern Tropical Pacific | Deep-Sea Alliance
- Coastal Ocean Marine Biosecurity International Network of the Americas | COMBINA
- Panama Authorities Capture 16 Illegal Longliner Fishing Boats in the Largest Seizure Ever in a Panamanian Marine Protected Area | WildAid
- Connect to Protect Coalition Invests Over $100 Million in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor in 2022 | Connect to Protect the ETP Donors Coalition
- Geoportal Oceanic Friends of Cocos Island | FAICO