As part of the Sustainable Pacific project, an exchange of lessons learned and best practices on previous MSP exercises was held between responsible parties implementing the MSP pilot project in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador. The workshop served as a conduit for fostering regional cooperation and laying the groundwork for coordinated Marine Spatial Planning and overall management of the Pacific Central American Coastal Large Marine Ecosystem (PACA LME). 

Through this experience, the leaders of the pilot project sites were able to share experiences, identify common challenges, and propose solutions that can be replicated in different local contexts. This collaboration transforms individual experiences into collective learning, optimizing the implementation of MSP across the region.

Among the best practices highlighted, the importance of having multidisciplinary teams with technical expertise and conducting regular evaluations to strengthen the capacities of the personnel involved were emphasized. Additionally, participants remarked on the need for MSP processes to be based on a robust legal framework and clear objectives to ensure their success.

Gloria Cuevas, Director of Environmental Analysis at Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), highlighted the benefits of these exchanges: "We have identified common challenges and solutions, found better strategies, gained a deeper understanding of the region, and recognized our collective strengths."

The MSP pilot project in Ecuador has made significant progress thanks to participatory workshops involving local stakeholders and municipal governments. These workshops have adopted interactive approaches, such as using board games, which have helped participants understand the importance of marine spatial planning and commit to its implementation. This inclusive approach has fostered closer collaboration among different sectors, ensuring that MSP is understood and adopted by all stakeholders.

Nelson Zambrano, Marine Spatial Planning Project Coordinator for Conservation International in Ecuador, noted:

"We hope that marine spatial planning and management plans will raise greater awareness, empowerment, and involvement of local governments, community stakeholders, and national institutions, driving better practices and livelihoods for communities."

Among the lessons learned from the exchange is the need to adjust institutional timelines and procedures to minimize delays, as well as the importance of involving local actors early on, identifying key leaders, and encouraging their participation. Likewise, anticipating risks, such as government changes or climate change impacts, is crucial to ensuring the continuity and success of MSP.

The proposed solutions include strengthening communication among stakeholders and ensuring that new government authorities understand and endorse MSP processes from its inception.

Through ongoing collaboration and mutual learning among those responsible for the Sustainable Pacific MSP pilot project, innovative and adaptable solutions are being developed to address the different local contexts. With the application of these best practices and lessons learned, the region is moving towards collaborative and sustainable management of its Large Marine Ecosystem. 

Contact: For more information, please contact Karla Pérez at kperez@wwfca.org  

About the project: Sustainable Pacific is a regional initiative implemented by UNDP, through the executing partner WWF, and funded by the GEF. This project aims to strengthen the management of the Pacific Central American Coastal Large Marine Ecosystem (PACA LME), and unite the efforts and commitments of participating countries — Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama — with the vision of consolidating a resilient and sustainable blue economy.