The Minister of Environment and Climate Action this Saturday said it is necessary to reach a strong consensus so that the process that led to the creation of the new marine protected area in the Algarve can be replicated.
“It is important that everyone is in the same boat to meet future commitments and be able to replicate this process,” Duarte Cordeiro said.
The Minister spoke at a session on the Marine Natural Park of Recife do Algarve – Pedra do Valado, which took place in the Portuguese Pavilion at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and brought together representatives of the various stakeholders involved in this process.
Approved two weeks ago, two and a half years after it was proposed, it is the first marine protected area created in Portugal in more than two decades and a step towards the government’s goal of creating 30% marine protected areas by 2026 .
“This is a huge task,” stressed Duarte Cordeiro, adding on the other hand that if it was possible in the Algarve, an area with a strong tourist presence, “it is possible almost anywhere.”
This is not the first time Pedra do Velado has been mentioned by Portugal at COP28 and has been highlighted for several days by several government officials attending the summit, including the Prime Minister, as an example of marine conservation. biodiversity that a country wants to transfer to other countries.
In the same discussion, organized by the Oceano Azul Foundation and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, one of the responsible researchers also emphasized the importance of this marine protected area of public interest in the context of combating climate change.
“This is one of the few sea prairies in the country, and now it will be protected,” said Jorge Gonçalves, a researcher at the Center for Marine Sciences of the University of the Algarve, recalling the role of these ecosystems in capturing and storing carbon dioxide.
“We now begin a new process,” added, on the other hand, the President of the Silves City Council, Rosa Palma, considering that the task now is to ensure the preservation of this territory, and this is an even greater responsibility.
COP28 began on November 30 and will run until November 12 in Dubai. This Saturday thematic program was dedicated to nature and oceans.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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