SANTIAGO, Chile (CMC) — The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says the 12 States Party to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean — known as the Escazú Agreement — as well as observer countries who participated in the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 1) have approved of a political declaration reaffirming the treaty as a driving force for sustainable development.

ECLAC said delegates also reaffirmed the treaty as “a crucial governance tool for the development of better public policies in the region, with a view to ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations”.

In total, ECLAC said more than 780 delegates from countries, international and regional organisations, panellists and civil society representatives participated, either in person or virtually, over the three days of the meeting (from April 20-22).

More than 290 people also followed each day of the live broadcast over different channels, ECLAC said.

It said the final day of the COP 1 of the Escazú Agreement included a high-level segment in celebration of the first anniversary of the treaty’s entry into force and International Mother Earth Day, both celebrated on April 22, moderated by Mario Cimoli, ECLAC’s acting executive secretary.

In his opening remarks, Cimoli underscored that commemorating International Mother Earth Day in the context of COP 1 of Escazú is “a particular moment, a unique time to debate, look back at history and see how we can improve”.

“We need answers to know how to move and what actions to take looking towards the future at this very difficult juncture the world is living right now,” he said.

“We are at a crossroads in humanity with regard to environmental protection.”

“International environmental governance must focus on generating timely, coherent and participatory solutions that allow us to decidedly confront the environmental crises that ail us, without leaving anyone behind,” he said.

Additionally, delegates called on all signatory countries to the Escazú Agreement, who have not yet ratified it, to do so at the earliest opportunity, and for those who are not signatories or Parties to adhere as soon as possible.

ECLAC said delegates also approved a series of decisions on diverse themes related to the functioning of the COP, including the rules of procedure and the rules relating to the structure and functions of the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance, agreeing to hold an extraordinary meeting in April 2023 in Argentina.

The second ordinary meeting of the COP of the Escazú Agreement is expected to take place in April 2024.