The COP16 Biodiversity Conference, held from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia, is the world’s most important event dedicated to biodiversity. Bringing together leaders, experts, and organizations from over 190 countries, it serves as a platform for crucial decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. MarViva was honored to participate and to contribute to global discussions on biodiversity protection and the well-being of communities that depend on these ecosystems.

On October 21, in the Green Zone of COP, Juan Manuel Díaz, Program Coordinator of MarViva’s Colombia office, spoke as a panelist at two key events. In the first one, titled “The Exclusive Zone for Artisanal Fishing (ZEPA) of the Pacific Chocó: An Example of Fisheries Management for Sustainable Biodiversity Use,” Diaz highlighted how planned, responsible fisheries management supports ecological balance, preserves key species, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources, benefiting local communities. Later, during “Environmental Territorial Planning from the Community Vision: A Strategy for Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Marine-Coastal Resources of the Pacific Chocó,” Diaz underscored the critical role of community involvement in environmental management, noting that their participation is key to the success of conservation strategies.

Katherine Arroyo, MarViva’s Executive Director, also represented the organization at several events. On October 21, she participated in “Connectivity in the Eastern Pacific: Heritage of the Region, Benefit for the World,” where she emphasized the importance of the Save The Blue Five project where MarViva serves as one of the implementing organizations. She stressed that collaboration with local communities is essential for marine ecosystem conservation, stating: “The integration of connectivity is primarily through participatory processes that involve all sectors of the territory, from the local scale to the global level.”

On October 23, Arroyo joined the “Forum of Parliamentarians for Economic Transitions for the Care, Conservation, and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity” in the Blue Zone of COP. This forum fostered dialogue between legislators and civil society, promoting policy frameworks that prioritize marine resource protection. On October 24, she spoke at “Marine 30×30: Moving the Needle on the Ground and in the Water,” discussing actionable steps for ocean conservation.

On October 25, in the Green Zone, Liliana Rodríguez, Political Advocacy Manager of the Colombia, office, Liliana Rodríguez, participated in the “In-Situ Conservation Panel: A Window to Territorial Development.”. She emphasized the importance of marine protected areas for territorial development, particularly for indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Rodríguez highlighted MarViva’s efforts to strengthen capacities and improve value chains in sustainable artisanal fishing, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to marine conservation and community well-being.

On October 27, during Ocean Day, David Barrios, MarViva’s Science Manager, participated in the “Science and Technology for Action” event, coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO). Speaking in the KMGBF pavilion, he stressed the importance of citizen science initiatives in generating accurate data to empower communities and shape effective conservation policies.
MarViva’s active involvement at COP16 underscores its dedication to marine conservation and sustainable development. This global platform not only facilitates collaboration with diverse stakeholders but also highlights the critical connections between biodiversity protection and the well-being of coastal communities. MarViva remains committed to advancing these shared goals for a thriving planet.