We facilitate cooperation between Southern Cone countries in international agreements for biodiversity management. We encourage the participation of organizations and civil society in global debates and support the implementation of treaties such as the BBNJ Agreement and the Global Plastics Treaty. In addition, we organize training courses and exchanges to improve understanding of the threats to biodiversity and the importance of ratifying these agreements.
The Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence is the marine area surrounding the Southern Cone of America, made up of waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and the surrounding international waters. This enormous ecosystem of temperate and cold waters is diverse in species and environments; it contributes to human well-being. It represents one of the last relatively well-preserved large marine ecosystems, however, it is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic causes. There are pressures from important economic powers (countries, corporations) on the main conventions related to the sea, which have direct and indirect consequences on the long-term survival of marine life and the health of the Patagonian sea.
There are about twenty international conventions related to oceans and marine biodiversity that are applicable to the Patagonian Sea region and its areas of influence. Some very relevant agreements at the international level, such as the Global Plastics Treaty or the Oceans Treaty, are in their initial stages. In addition to formal conferences between governments, there are other global and multi-stakeholder spaces such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress or the IMPACs, that offer complementary forums for exchange and advocacy.
Within countries, the treatment and follow-up of international conventions is dispersed among different institutions and government officials. The administrations of the Southern Cone countries do not always coordinate their positions and actions focused on biodiversity, nor is there necessarily a dialogue between the different processes to promote synergies.
There is a need to encourage the existence of spaces for participation to deal with issues related to international conventions. There is a need for greater civil society participation in decision-making meetings as well as in inter-sessional movements to achieve advances that are in the interest of conservation.
Strengthening
We promote actions of internal strengthening, interdisciplinary exchange and integration to achieve a better understanding of the scope of the different international agreements related to the biodiversity of the Patagonian Sea.
Participation
The NGOs of the Forum follow up several conventions with vast experience and are referents for the official delegations. We promote the participation of the region’s civil society in international debates that have a bearing on the fate of the region’s marine biodiversity.
Influence
We promote the ratification and implementation of international agreements that favor the protection of the biodiversity of the Patagonian Sea.
Dissertations, organization of side events and workshops, presentation of positions at the International Marine Protected Areas Congresses (IMPAC) 3, 4 and 5 (Marseille, 2013; La Serena, 2017; Vancouver, 2023).
Presentation at the World Congress on Protected Areas (2014).
Organization of event at the III Congress of Protected Areas of Latin America and the Caribbean (Lima, 2022).
Participation in the Second Oceans Conference (Lisbon, 2022).
Presentation of motions at the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2025).
The International Agreements Working Group works collaboratively with Forum organizations, civil society in general, and with key governmental and academic agencies for its management.
