[Coral-List] #CoralReefOptimism During the #MonthOfTheReef2023 #IMOR2023 #MesDelArreicfe2023

[International Coral Reef Observatory]

Dear Colleagues,

Very good news for Colombian Coral Reefs, the Colombian re-election as
country member of the council for The Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
program occurred
within the framework of the 42nd UNESCO General Conference taking place in
Paris, which means a vote of confidence from the UNESCO Member States in
the work that the country has done to promote the harmonious integration of
the people and nature for sustainable development through participatory
dialogue; knowledge sharing; poverty reduction; respect for cultural values
and society's ability to cope with change, the main objectives of the MAB
program.

Colombia's leadership in this scenario is essential to contribute to the
decision-making of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and also to
position the six biosphere reserves declared by UNESCO: Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta, Cinturón Andino, Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, El Tuparro and
Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó.

Tribugá-Cupica-Baudó is the most recent and the first in the Colombian
(Eastern) Pacific that was at risk in the past. Colombia hopes to expand
its Biosphere reserves with that of the Darién Norte Chocoano, whose file
was sent for evaluation to UNESCO by the Colombian Chancellery last
September.

The Capurganá-Cabo Tiburón Hope Spot (Mission Blue/ ICRO) is officially
planned to be included in the National Park System and we have been asked
to provide, in 2024, supporting videos of the state of health of these
resilient coral reefs.

*Nohora Galvis*

*International Coral Reef Observatory, ICRO*
*Director and Transdisciplinary Researcher*
*ICRS World Reef Award Winner*
*Facebook.com/ICRObservatory *
*Instagram / Twitter / Youtube ICR_Observatory*