July 2015: Participants from the Caribbean and Pacific regions considered ways to advance protected area (PA) networks through a series of workshops and trainings held in July. The meetings offered PA managers and regional partners and organizations such as the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme (BIOPAMA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas.

Caribbean government and non-government organization representatives focused on terrestrial PA management at a training organized by IUCN and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) under the BIOPAMA programme. Participants discussed how to minimize conflicts between biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods and how to communicate and engage with communities surrounding PAs on the planning and protection of these areas. The training also addressed: participatory design, planning and management; partnerships; sustainable livelihood strategies; financing; compliance and enforcement; and legislation and regulations. The workshop, which took place in Trinidad and Tobago from 6-11 July, is part of BIOPAMA’s efforts to build PA management capacity in the Caribbean through the development of PA personnel and the expansion of the network of PA professionals engaged in biodiversity conservation and PA management.

In the Pacific, the Protected Areas Working Group (PAWG), under the Pacific Islands Round Table for Nature Conservation, focused on the role of local communities in governing and managing improved PA networks. Participants recognized the importance of data management tools in improving the effectiveness of Pacific PAs and other conservation areas and highlighted the development of tools such as the Regional Reference Information System (RRIS) and the Pacific Islands Protected Areas Portal. The PAWG is also working towards the development of multi-country PA commitments for presentation at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2016. SPREP and BIOPAMA provided support for the PAWG meeting, which took place from 2-3 July in Suva, Fiji.

Also in the Pacific, IUCN held its Oceania Conservation Forum from 13-15 July. The Forum discussed capacity development for PAs and other conservation areas. Participants highlighted the importance of addressing governance issues and involving youth in efforts to achieve conservation targets.

BIOPAMA aims to address threats to biodiversity and to reduce poverty among communities living near PAs in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The European Development Fund (EDF) provides support for BIOPAMA. [IUCN Press Release 28 July] [IUCN Press Release 24 July] [BIOPAMA Website]