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22 April 2021
Secretary-General's message marking the Entry into Force of the Escazú Agreement
On this International Mother Earth Day, I am delighted to join you in celebrating the entry into force of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, also known as the Escazú Agreement.
This is a historic achievement for the region and for the world. In addition to being the most recent Multilateral Environmental Agreement to have been negotiated and adopted under the auspices of the United Nations, the Escazú Agreement is also Latin America and the Caribbean’s first regional environmental treaty.
Perhaps most notably, it is the first such treaty to include specific provisions for the protection and promotion of human rights defenders in environmental matters.
As we continue to tackle the shattering impacts of COVID-19 and step up efforts to curb the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity collapse and pollution of the natural environment, the Escazú Agreement’s entry into force provides hope and inspiration, and sets the stage for sustainable and resilient recovery. By adopting a rights-based approach, fostering capacity-building and cooperation, and focusing on the most vulnerable, this regional treaty is a major leap forward in forging transformative pathways for people and our planet.
I commend the Latin American and Caribbean States that have ratified the treaty and urge all countries to join them as soon as possible. Congratulations to the countries of the region, to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and to everyone that made this ground-breaking treaty a reality.
Escazú Agreement Celebrates Three Years Since its Adoption and Will Enter into Force on Mother Earth Day
4 MARCH 2021|NEWS
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Photo of the adoption of the Escazú Agreement, approved on 4 March, 2018 in San José, Costa Rica.
Photo: ECLAC
Today, March 4, marks the three-year anniversary of the adoption of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, better known as the Escazú Agreement, which is the first environmental treaty in the region and the first in the world to contain specific provisions on human rights defenders in environmental matters.
This date is of great importance because, having reached the required number of ratifications, the Agreement will enter into force on April 22, 2021, a date that also marks International Mother Earth Day.
To commemorate this third anniversary and celebrate the prompt entry into force of the Escazú Agreement, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, reminds us that “amid the current global and regional situation of high complexity and uncertainty, the Escazú Agreement has become more necessary than ever. It strengthens a culture of dialogue and forges compacts to advance the necessary transformations that place human rights, environmental protection and the 2030 Agenda at the center of sustainable recovery with equality responses.”
“At ECLAC, we have long said that it is impossible to protect the environment without protecting those who defend it. This agreement also bears the name of environmental defenders. Nobody must be threatened, attacked or murdered for defending the environment in our region,” the United Nations regional organization’s highest authority adds.
The full message, released on March 4, is part of the social media campaign #Escazu4all (#EscazuparaTodxs), which seeks to spread the word about this historic treaty and celebrate its relevance for more egalitarian, fair and sustainable development. The campaign will be in effect until April 22, 2021, the date on which the Escazú Agreement’s entry into force will be celebrated during a commemorative ceremony that will take place at ECLAC’s headquarters.
Join the campaign to celebrate the Escazú Agreement’s upcoming entry into force. Record your video and post it to social media, tagging @eclac_un, @cepal_onu #EscazuAgreement #Escazu4all #EscazuparaTodxs.
Position: Co -Founder of ENGAGE,a new social venture for the promotion of volunteerism and service and Ideator of Sharing4Good
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