Escazú Agreement’s COP3 inaugurated in Chile
The main goal of the conference is to discuss and approve the Environmental Defenders Action Plan.
The Third Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement, COP3, was inaugurated this Monday in Chile. The event was organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
It was attended by the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, along with Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, Justice and Human Rights Minister Luis Cordero, Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela and Environment Undersecretary Maximiliano Proaño.
“Today, those who suffer the most from the impacts of the planet’s triple crisis – climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss – are, at the same time, those who are furthest from decision-making. That is why we are convinced that Escazú is an opportunity to advance access to information, in order to have greater public participation and coordination between the State and civil society,” Gabriel Boric, President of Chile.
The president insisted that “defending people’s right to live in a healthy environment is a cause that should bring us all together. Whether we are able to enjoy the rest of our rights depends on it.”
The president also stressed the importance of approving the Environmental Defenders Action Plan. This action is being promoted by Chile together with Ecuador and Saint Kitts and Nevis, and will be discussed at COP3.
“We are convinced that this action plan will allow us to better understand the role of environmental defenders, their rights and realities, in order to publicly recognize and value them,” the president stated.
National Escazú Agreement Participatory Implementation Plan
On April 15, the National Escazú Agreement Participatory Implementation Plan was approved in Chile. It includes 56 general actions and 236 specific measures that must be carried out between now and 2030.
Environment Minister Maisa Rojas assured that it “was built in a collaborative and coordinated manner between state institutions, civil society, the private sector and academia. It is very valuable and demonstrates our commitment to the agreement, since, despite being a state party for less than two years, we are the third country in the region to present an implementation plan.”
More than 1,700 people participated in developing this plan, including children and adolescents from Arica, Concón, Quintero, Puchuncaví and Punta Arenas.
This plan proposes improvements in access to information for people, including children and adolescents, participation in the early stages of the development of environmental policies and regulations, and the training of civil society and state officials on access rights and environmental tools.