Excellencies, Ministers, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends
I extend heart-felt gratitude to Minister Juan Carlos Castro Vargas and the team of the Presidency for their superb work in steering this twenty-fourth Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean. We were honoured yesterday, during the inauguration of this meeting, with the presence of H.E. Madame Dina Boluarte, Constitutional President of the Republic of Peru. This further reaffirms Perus commitment to environmental action, and the importance of this regional forum.
I also wish to thank the President of UNEA for your efforts to engage with the Latin America and Caribbean region. Your willingness to listen to diverse voices and perspectives demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity, and will help ensure that, as you preside over the upcoming UNEA sessions, the outcomes truly reflect the priorities and contributions of all regions, including this one.
Let me also express sincere appreciation to the members of the Bureau, to Ministers and Vice Ministers, to the Executive Secretaries of the Conventions, members of the Interagency Technical Committee, agencies and programmes of the United Nations and subregional bodies, as well as representatives from major groups and stakeholders.
As we come to the close of this gathering in Lima, I am struck by the richness of our discussions and the commitment each of you has brought to the dialogue. This has been an opportunity to build, together, new forms of cooperation.
Congratulations to Panama and Minister Juan Carlos Navarro for assuming the Presidency of the twenty-fifth Meeting, and welcome to the new members of the Bureau. You can count on UNEPs full support in the intersessional period, both to implement the outcomes of this meeting and to prepare for the Forums next gathering in two years time.
Excellencies
Since I have been here in Peru, I have learned how the country is famous for its cuisine. And the reason it is so justly celebrated, is because of the special link between nature and production: between mountain, pasture and ocean.
As one of Perus most famous chefs, Virgilio Martinez, puts it: the plate has to communicate what we experience in nature.
And just as Peruvian cuisine brings together ingredients from the coast, the highlands, and the rainforest to create something unique, this dialogue has shown us that when we bring our differences together, we can build more comprehensive and lasting solutions.
That is a direct response to the call which was made, loud and clear, in Rio at last years special session. There, this Forum agreed to accelerate implementation through integrated approaches.
As a result, we have explored new ways to promote more practical synergies across the Rio Conventions and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The proposals brought forward and discussed this week are the fruit of that collective work.
The Forum also identified water as the key to bringing many agendas together to connect environmental action to prosperity and well-being across the region.
The result is clear: as the longest-standing platform for environmental dialogue and cooperation in the region, you are charting a journey of transformation, underpinned by region-wide and high-impact solutions.
First, you have agreed to accelerate climate action, nature action, and action to combat desertification and drought through a regional initiative for large-scale ecosystem and landscape restoration. This places water and ecosystem restoration at the heart of the regions long-term prosperity and sustainability.
Second, you have expressed your support for a regional action plan for the conservation of jaguars. Protecting this iconic species will drive concerted efforts to strengthen the climatenature nexus and accelerate implementation of the Rio and biodiversity conventions.
Third, you have adopted a regional cooperation programme to reduce methane emissions while addressing the hazards and negative impacts of the thousands of open dumpsites still existing across the region.
By focusing on food waste, this programme will also advance sustainable food systems, bringing direct and indirect benefits to millions of people. Importantly, it has been designed with flexibility, so that each country can adapt it to its priorities, while tapping into the immense potential for SouthSouth cooperation.
You have also had in-depth discussions on new financial mechanisms critical to scaling up funding for these bold and transformative initiatives.
Let me underscore: these flagship initiatives are not only sources of hope and inspiration, but also a clear demonstration of how this region is pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Excellencies, friends
The Forum is consolidating its role as an effective regional platform for political dialogue on the environment.
We deeply appreciate the in-depth and thoughtful discussions in preparation for UNEA-7, COP30, and other multilateral environmental processes so critical for this region. The Lima Declaration is a powerful contribution to the UNEA-7 Ministerial Declaration. It brings consensus on topics which, elsewhere, have too often been a source of dispute. This Lima spirit will be essential for ensuring a successful and impactful UNEA-7, and beyond especially as the Presidency of UNEA-8 will come to this region. Today, Minister Matthew Samuda of Jamaica shared with us the news of his candidacy to serve in this role, a development that further underlines the leadership and commitment of Latin America and the Caribbean in global environmental governance.
We also thank you for your guidance and support to UNEPs mid-term strategy and programme of work. It is encouraging to know that the new strategy reflects the priorities of this region, and that you are committed to delivering on its vision and impact over the next four years.
Colleagues
Latin America and the Caribbean is a true powerhouse of environmental solutions.
We are living in a period of growing multidimensional challenges and complexity. Environmental degradation is at the centre of many of these challenges: increasing our vulnerability, impacting people especially the most vulnerable and affecting our economies.
The Lima Declaration we have just adopted underscores the importance of realizing the full potential of the universal membership of UNEA and of further strengthening UNEP. In this spirit, I encourage all Member States to seek accreditation to the Committee of Permanent Representatives, to engage actively in its work, and to contribute to the Environment Fund, bearing in mind the voluntary indicative scale of contributions.
UNEP invites and encourages the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to play a leading role in intergovernmental processes, and to participate fully in thematic consultations, capacity-building initiatives, and training opportunities.
Looking ahead, we count on your active engagement towards UNEA-7 in Nairobi this December, to ensure that the voice and solutions of Latin America and the Caribbean resonate loud and proud at the global level.
Muchas gracias.
