The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) is an intergovernmental initiative between Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panamá. Based on the interests and priorities of its member states, CIMAR promotes conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. . This is acheived through regional governmental strategies, and supported by civil society, international cooperation and non-governmental agencies.

Due to existing common interests and the potential to increase synergies between both initiatives, in June of 2017, CMAR and PACIFICO signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the objective of establishing a strategic alliance. This alliance seeks to mobilize and implement resources in common geographic areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific to help consolidate the integrated management of ecosystems, biodiversity and marine and coastal resources through their conservation and sustainable use.

By request of the ministers and PACIFICO member funds, an important part of the MOU was the development of a Five-Year work plan for 2017-2022, as well as its first Annual Plan. These plans emerged through multiple consultations, meetings, and workshops in the four countries with both public and private sector stakeholders.
We are currently implementing the MOU, including biannual meetings of the CMAR-PACIFICO Coordinating Committee, to execute the five-year plan and its priorities. For example, in 2019 we supported the development of CMAR’s new 2019-2024 Action Plan and continue to support the relaunching of its visual brand.

Last year CMAR rotated its presidency and secretary pro tempore from Ecuador to Costa Rica for the next three years; PACIFICO closely coordinates with and supports these new authorities in this new stage.

Joint Priority Actions:

• Implement the joint fundraising strategy.
• Carry out meetings between PACIFICO, ministries, and key stakeholders of the four member countries.
• Support the development of CMAR’s communication strategy and the relaunching of its visual brand.
• Collaborate in relevant marine events. For example, in 2019 we carried out joint events in the Climate Change Pre-COP and the Latin American and Caribbean Protected Area Congress.
• Strengthen and promote the swimways initiative.
• Promote collaboration in transparency, surveillance, and regional enforcement.