STRENGTHENING THE REGIONAL STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE SELVA MAYA
CONTEXT
In addition, environmental governance in the Selva Maya region is weak, and cross-border cooperation and coordination for the effective protection of the Selva Maya resources requires additional efforts to implement common mitigation strategies.
One of the components of the project is also focused on the development of a “One Health” approach, understood as the interface between ecosystems or protected areas, wildlife and human health. This approach follows the logic that environmental protection, for example reducing deforestation and wildlife trafficking, leads to the reduction of potential zoonotic risks and thus to the protection of human health. For this reason, the project seeks to initiate and establish an intersectoral dialogue, based on scientific evidence, to contribute to the reduction of zoonotic risks in the Selva Maya.
Challenges
SETTING GOVERNANCE PLATFORMS IN THE SELVA MAYA
However, the GEC cannot conclude agreements which are formally binding on each of the three countries and the GOC is based on the voluntary commitment of the protected area directors.
COUNTERPARTS
APPROACH
- Strengthening of the strategic coordination (at the level of the Strategic Coordination Group of the Selva Maya (GEC) and high-level decision-makers)
- Strengthening of the operational cooperation (at the level of the Operational Coordination Group of the Selva Maya (GOC))
- Implementation of local cooperation mechanisms (at the level of the Operational Coordination Group (GOC) and other local actors)
- Fostering an intersectoral dialogue for the reduction of zoonosis risks in the Selva Maya.
In this sense, the project seeks to foster the coordination and cooperation capacities of the Strategic and Operational Coordination Group of the Selva Maya (GEC and GOC) and to develop and strengthen coordination mechanisms between selected adjacent protected areas of the Selva Maya, and other relevant actors through capacity building measures.
Through improved intersectoral coordination and cooperation, natural resource protection measures will strengthen the dialogue at different levels, reducing the risk of zoonoses and future pandemics through concrete measures, including raising environmental awareness among the local population (more than 600,000 people in the region) and strengthening the scientific knowledge base.
Furthermore, the project aims to strengthen the communication capacity of the institutions to position the Selva Maya on a national, regional and international level and to raise awareness of its value locally.
CONTACT
Selva Maya Programme
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
4ª. Calle 6-55 zona 9
01009 Ciudad de Guatemala
T +502 2312-2100
E giz.selvamaya@giz.de
I www.giz.de