The Blue Forests Cross-Training Workshop - Recognizing the Value of Blue Forests for Latin America and the Caribbean through Global Experience Sharing was held in January 2017, in the city of Panama, Panama. This four-day workshop was facilitated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)/UN Environment Blue Forests Project and hosted by the UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the RAMSAR Regional Center for Training and Research on Wetlands in the Western Hemisphere (CREHO). The workshop aimed to support the development of blue carbon and blue forests projects throughout the region. Participants included project partners and representatives of government and non-governmental organizations.
During the event, participants introduced their projects, shared their experiences, challenges and thoughts on the GEF Blue Forests Project. The following clips, showcase partners of the GEF Blue Forests Project discussing about their blue carbon and blue forests related activities.
Jane Glavan, Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative
Jane Glavan, partnership project manager of AGEDI UAE, shares her thoughts on being part of the Blue Forests Project and giving her view on how this partnership represents a chance to share experiences on Blue Carbon and expand the Blue Carbon science, as well as to be part of the international dialog on this topic.
Paul Guggenheim, Counterpart International
Paul Guggenheim, country representative for the Dominican Republic of Counterpart International, explaining the framework in which they work with coastal communities to increase their resilience to climate change. Furthermore, he highlights that Blue Forests Project partners work together on identifying answers to questions that are still open around the concept of Blue Carbon and Blue economies and encourages people that are interested in this topic to get involved and share their experiences.
James Kairo, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
James Kairo, assistant director of KMFRI Kenya, introducing the Mikoko Pamoja Project and discussing that this initiative is based on the protection and restoration of mangrove forests using money of the trade of carbon credits. He also shares his hopes that the scientific community, policy makers and financial institutions will come together and develop a bigger Mikoko Pamoja.
Montserrat Alban, Conservation International (CI)
Montserrat Alban, ecosystem service manager of Conservation International (CI) Ecuador, explaining that Ecuador's strategy is mainly focused on developing information for decision-makers about the ecosystem services of mangroves and that they use this information to further develop and support the Socio Mangrove Incentive scheme in Ecuador. Montserrat Alban goes on by highlighting that CI Ecuador is trying to engage other sectors, which are either users of mangroves or are affecting mangroves in some way, in the conservation of mangrove forests in the South American country.
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