Mesoamerica 2020 Anniversary Event
September 21, 2015
In June 2014, the USFWS and the OAS launched their MESOAMERICA 2020 strategic partnership. The goal is to ensure the conservation of the last remaining biodiversity-rich ecosystems at the landscape-scale in the region. MESOAMERICA 2020 establishes partnerships with other key stakeholders and promotes regional cooperation in order to support effective on-the-ground conservation.
One year later, we were pleased to celebrate progress under MESOAMERICA 2020. The anniversary celebration highlighted the critical importance of Mesoamerica for global biodiversity conservation, regional security, and sustainable development. USFWS Director Dan Ashe presented projects funded in the region by the USFWS in 2015 under its Wildlife Without Borders-Central America Grants Program. He also reported on partnerships established with other entities and initiatives.
At this event, the Permanent Representatives of Honduras and Belize to the OAS, Ambassador Leonidas Rosa Bautista and Ambassador Patrick Andrews, shared key conservation efforts in their countries being conducted in partnership with the OAS, renewing their support and commitment to conserving the biological wealth of this region for the benefit of future generations. Dr. Tom Lovejoy from the United Nations Foundation and Minister Pedro Carlos Álvarez Icaza Longoria from CONABIO, Mexico shared their perspective on the main challenges faced by Mesoamerican countries in terms of ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. Finally as part of the celebration, Mr. Brian Arroyo, USFWS Assistant Director for International Affairs, presented the 2015 Central America Conservation Hero Award to Ms. Maria Susana Hermes Calderon and Ms. Marta Marleny Rosales Meda from the Guatemalan NGO Organization for the Conservation of Nature and Community Development (ORCONDECO). The event was opened by the OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Nestor Mendez and the OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan shared closing remarks.
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H.E. Nestor Mendez Assistant Secretary General |
Organization of American States | Opening Remarks |
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Mr. Dan Ashe Director |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | |
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Dr. Tom Lovejoy |
United Nations Foundation | |
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H.E. Leonidas Rosa Bautista Permanent Representative of Honduras to the OAS |
Permanent Mission of Honduras to the OAS | Remarks |
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H.E. Patrick Andrews Permanent Representative of Belize to the OAS |
Permanent Mission of Belize to the OAS | Remarks |
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Mnt. Pedro Carlos Álvarez Icaza Longoria Coordinator, Biological Resources and Corridors |
National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity, Mexico | Remarks |
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Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan Executive Secretary for Integral Development |
Organization of American States | Closing Remarks |
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Jeremy J. Radachowsky Director, Mesoamerica and Western Caribbean |
Wildlife Conservation Society | Presentation |