WYCJ Latin America participates in official side event at COP2 of the Escazú Agreement
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On 19 April 2023, WYCJ took part in an official side event of COP2 of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, titled “Innovations of the Escazú Agreement contributing to global biodiversity goals". The webinar was co-organized by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment, the European Biodiversity Partnership, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
The conference generated dialogue between countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and other countries about how the Escazú Agreement helps implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, contributing to achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the realization of the right to a healthy environment.
The panel of experts answered questions about the contributions of the Escazú Agreement's innovations to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework's objectives, how academia and young people can contribute to access to justice in matters of biodiversity and ecosystems, and how the agreement helps defend the territory and biocultural heritage.
As the coordinator for Latin America of WYCJ, José Daniel Rodríguez spoke about the role of young people in promoting access to justice in matters of biodiversity and ecosystems. Jose highlighted the importance of the Escazú Agreement in recognizing the role of young people as agents of change and promoting their participation in decision-making processes related to the environment. He also spoke about the role of the youth before the International Court of Justice and the AO campaign to take climate change to the world court.
Ana di Pangracio, counselor of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for Meso and Latin America, and executive director of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation highlighted that the agreement facilitates transparency and participation in decision-making processes by requiring the disclosure of environmental information, creating spaces for public participation, and ensuring access to justice.
Luz Fernandez, a member of the Wayuu Indigenous People in Venezuela, highlighted the importance of the agreement in defending the territory and biocultural heritage of indigenous peoples. She pointed out that the agreement recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to be consulted and participate in decision-making processes that affect their territories and natural resources.
Raúl Montenegro, winner of the Rights Livelihood Award (2004), and the UNEP Global 500 Award (1989), highlighted the importance of the Escazú Agreement's innovations related to access to justice. Mr. Montenegro also underlined the importance of protecting human rights defenders in the Americas, and how the agreement will strengthen States’ capacities to do so.
