SPAW protected areas network

Article 7 of the SPAW protocol provides for the creation of a network of protected areas listed under SPAW. The Contracting Parties to the protocol will accord priority to the protected areas of the network for scientific and technical research and for mutual assistance.

The Twelfth Meeting of the Contracting Parties held in Aruba the 3rd of October 2023, decided to approve the following recommandation:

"The Secretariat and SPAW-RAC, as appropriate, work with Contracting Parties, including managers of SPAW-listed protected areas, and other relevant partners, as appropriate, to develop a proposal for the creation of a network for SPAW-listed protected areas coordinated by the Secretariat or SPAW-RAC with the purpose of understanding and addressing the needs of protected area managers to improve protected area effectiveness. The proposal should include a suggested strategic vision, workplan, institutional structure, and budget and should be presented to SPAW STAC11 and COP13 for consideration."

From 10-12 October, SPAW RAC welcomed 24 managers from 13 territories for a workshop with the goal of creating the network of managers of SPAW-listed protected areas.

During 3 days, the 24 managers exchanged ideas and visions for the network and discusses the different challenges they are facing in their protected areas. Several common themes emerged from the discussion that led to the definition of strategic axes and main objectives for the network, as well as a purpose for this network:

"We are an empowering body committed to finding solutions, through collective intelligence, that address areas of concern within protected areas"

More outcomes of the workshop (strategic axes, objectives for the network, etc.) coming soon!

This workshop was made possible with support from the ACP MEAs project, and the Ocean Governance project.