UNOC 2025: SPDA’s side event “Defenders of human rights and marine conservation in Peru”

The Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA) will participate in the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 through the side event "Defenders of human rights and marine conservation in Peru," a space dedicated to highlighting the valuable experiences of Peruvian artisanal fishers in the defense and protection of the sea.

This gathering will take place on Tuesday, June 10th, at 12:00 p.m. in the Van Loo Room of the Museé Chéret in Nice, France. It aims to promote the recognition of the crucial role of community leaders in protecting marine ecosystems within a context of multiple threats.

In Peru, with its more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, communities face diverse threats, including illegal fishing, the lack of recognition of traditional practices, and environmental disasters such as oil spills, among others. In this scenario, community leaders emerge as fundamental actors who raise their voices in defense of their territories, proposing solutions and promoting sustainable practices that ensure the well-being of their communities and the protection of the marine ecosystem.

During the event, the stories of Washington Espinoza, President of the Artisanal Fishing Community of Marcona, Ica; Elizar Medina, Vice President of the Federation of the Joint Board of Artisanal Fishermen of Pachacutec and Ventanilla, Callao; Carlos Chapilliquen, representative of the Artisanal Fishermen's Guild of Cabo Blanco, Piura; and Edilberta Rubiños, representative of Productos Hidrobiológicos Rubí del Mar from Ancón, Lima, will be shared. Their stories exemplify the importance of civic action in the face of the threats confronting the Peruvian sea, demonstrating that environmental protection and human rights are deeply linked and require a joint and sustained effort.

The event seeks to raise awareness within the international community about the vital importance of supporting these defenders of the sea, recognizing their work and promoting actions that strengthen their leadership and capacities. Through their testimonies, the importance of protecting those who fight on the front lines for the conservation and sustainability of marine resources in Peru is reiterated, in line with global commitments for a healthier and more just ocean.

Register at: https://lu.ma/vaj0z87l