Economic Development CEO Dr. Osmond Martinez expresses support to protected areas Billy Barquedier & Mayflower Bocawina National Parks

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Ministry of Economic Development CEO Dr. Osmond Martinez expressed support to protected areas Billy Barquedier & Mayflower Bocawina National Parks during a visit to both sites as a guest of the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) late last week.

Dr. Osmond Martinez was accompanied by Climate Finance Unit (CFU) Director Carlos Pol on the site visit which had the objective of demonstrating first-hand, the on-the-ground realities and dynamics of non-governmental conservation organizations in their mission to support the government’s national development objectives.

The Ministry of Economic Development, as the National Designated Authority (NDA) of the Green Climate Fund, has a mandate to work with all stakeholders including civil society organizations.

“Therefore, the purpose of the visit was to observe the challenges they are encountering and for the NDA to have a clear picture of the situation in order to provide an endorsement letter,” said the Ministry.

The Billy Barquedier and Mayflower Bocawina National Parks are co-managed by community-based organizations.

“These are natural sites that not only play a crucial role in safeguarding our natural capital but also provide socio-economic benefits directly to their buffer communities and indirectly to the entire population of the country’” said the APAMO press release.

The statement said the visit was the first in a number of efforts to consolidate knowledge and awareness of the role of non-government partners in the broader work of the Ministry of Economic Development. That work includes the formulation and recommendation of national development policies, strategies and programs to promote macroeconomic stability, sustainable socioeconomic development, and the reduction of poverty.

“Based on the site visit, we note that indeed these two civil society organizations are experiencing challenges which require some attention,” said CFU Director Pol.

APAMO said that during the visit, both CEO Martinez and Pol noted the importance of the hydrological system at Billy Barquedier National Park in providing potable water for three nearby villages. They also noted the threat of land clearing within the Mayflower Bocawina National Park.

These are considered major issues that require urgent attention to protect the integrity of these protected areas and to ensure their continued environmental service to the local communities.

APAMO said CEO Martinez and Director Pol expressed the Ministry of Economic Development’s commitment to keep working with APAMO and its members “as partners with the common objective of maximizing the socio-economic benefits offered by protected areas”.

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