Forests4Peace Colombia: Nature's Climate Hub

Forests4Peace highlights the power of nature as a solution to climate change, building a sustainable and lasting peace in the most biodiverse regions in Colombia.

Get to know three solutions based on nature, led by communities that have been affected by war and climate change and by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, which today build a resilient and peaceful future.

1. Creating a Biological Corridor for Species and Water to Support a Sustainable Amazonía:

Come meet Raquel Espinoza and her story in the Tropical Forest of Eastern Meta. A victim of violence in the Yari plains, Raquel will share how her community is restoring the forest and creating a biological corridor for species and water, adapting their lives to climate change for a Sustainable Amazonía.

Sustainable Amazonía is a project led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, implemented by UNDP and financed by the Global Environment Facility.

2. Promoting Ecotourism in the Humid Jungle, a Reintegration Initiative of Former Combatants and Communities to build Environments for Peace and Adapt to Climate Change:

Meet Yennifer Martínez and Hidden Paradises in the humid jungle, where she promotes an ecotourism initiative in the Mesetas-Uribe Peace Corridor, as part of the Programme Environments for Peace, in one of the areas most affected by deforestation. Learn how this initiative supports climate change adaptation in these tourist destinations.

Environments for Peace is a project led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, implemented by UNDP and the Norwegian Refugee Council and financed by Norway.

3. Recovering the Native Seeds of the Montes de María and Promoting Products of Peace in the Hautes Cuisines of the World:

Lastly, travel through the history of the Products of Peace. Carmen Rodríguez, a victim of violence in the Montes de María, will share how recovering and protecting their native seeds is preparing them face climate change, turning it into an opportunity to support dry ecosystems while improving their livelihoods by selling surplus crops to the most exclusive restaurants in Colombia.

The project Sustainable Use and Conservation of Dry Ecosystems is led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, implemented by UNDP and regional environmental autonomous authorities, financed by the Global Environment Facility.

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Ricardo Lozano will share how Colombia is developing climate adaptation strategies working with communities in some of the most vulnerable regions of Colombia.

Programme 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

• Creating a Biological Corridor for Species and Water to Support a Sustainable Amazonía by Raquel Espinoza (7 minutes).

• Promoting Ecotourism in the Humid Jungle, a Reintegration Initiative of Former Combatants and Communities to build Environments for Peace and Adapt to Climate Change by Jennifer Martínez (7 minutes).

• Recovering the Native Seeds of the Montes de María and Promoting Products of Peace in the Hautes Cuisines of the World by Carmen Rodríguez (7 minutes).

• Conversation with Raquel, Jennifer, Carmen, Ricardo Lozano, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Emilio Archila, High Councilor for Stabilization and Consolidation and Jessica Faieta, UNDP Resident Representative in Colombia:

• Jessica Faieta What are the key actions the UN and UNDP are calling for to solve the climate crisis? (3 minutes).
• Minister Lozano What would you highlight as the most important action to tackle deforestation working with communities? (5 minutes).
• High Councilor Archila What would you highlight as the opportunities for local development using natural resources sustainably? (5 minutes).

• Conversation with the public -Q&A- moderated by Jimena Puyana, Head of Sustainable Development Unit/UNDP Colombia (15 minutes).