The Latin American Technical Cooperation Network on National Parks, other Protected Areas, Wild Flora and Fauna, known as REDPARQUES, is a network of public and private institutions working on Protected Areas (PAs) and conservation of flora and fauna. This Network was the basis for the development of political commitment surrounding the Declaration on PAs and climate change (CC).
REDPARQUES was created in 1983, responding to the need to improve Latin American PAs management and the willingness to share technical knowledge and experiences on the matter.
Since its creation, REDPARQUES has significantly contributed to the development of institutional capacitites of PAs' agencies and PA's staff, offering an opprotunity to discuss, share scientific and technical information and to promote regional strategies for PAs.
Lastly, this network has strengthened the communication and the bonds between different National Systems of protected areas, which, at the same time, has boosted the creation of national/regional agendas related to the United Nationals Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity (Aichi Targets) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs).
-Promoted inclusion of CC issues at the national level in PAs agencies through experience exchange and knowledge development
-Public commitment of Latin American countries to be part of REDPARQUES activities
-A good leader (Peru's PAs agency CEO-SERNANP), chosen by the members of REDPARQUES, to guide the actions of the network and establish a workplan
-Good outcomes framed under this network, which strengthen its capacities and scope
-The network has favored the sharing of knowledge and experiences. This process strengthens, at the same time, the management of protected areas of Latin America.
-Support for nature-based solutions in climated change discussions can be harnessed by showing political commitments to action by governments through a regional platform, such as REDPARQUES.
-Policy claims relating to nature-based solutions gain relevance when backed by strong evidence; e.g. on the role of PAs for mitigation and adaptation; action on the ground.