UNESCO required Ecuador to take measures to safeguard the Galapagos

The Ecuadorian Government must submit to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) a plan to safeguard the Galapagos. This was known this Sunday, October 23, during the visit of President Guillermo Lasso and several ministers to the islands.

President Guillermo Lasso visited the Galapagos Islands this Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Lasso and the Ministers of the Environment, Gustavo Manrique; of Tourism, Niels Olsen, the Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Holguín, among others, came to Santa Cruz to participate in the delivery of a USD 120,000 loan by the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) for the drinking water network and sanitation on this island.

In his speech, the President pointed out that this work is essential to reduce chronic child malnutrition that affects 23% of children in Galapagos. He also announced the construction of a hospital and issued operating permits for 50 fishermen dedicated to experiential fishing.

The authorities did not refer to the problems in the control of tourist boats, after the shipwreck that weeks ago claimed the lives of three people. On the eve of this visit, another boat caught fire. However, the Minister of the Environment assured that several actions are being carried out to protect the Archipelago.

Manrique reported that ” Unesco has asked the Government for measures to safeguard the islands as a natural heritage of humanity.”

“And for this reason, we are working to improve the charging system, without this meaning that we have not made a great effort to protect the incredible ecosystems of the Enchanted Islands,” he asserted.

The Minister stated that currently 99% of the marine and terrestrial area of ​​Galapagos has conservation mechanisms, when until May 24, 2021 -the date the current Government began its mandate-, it had 97% coverage.

Manrique highlighted that the Regulation and Control Agency, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary, has carried out more than 4 million cargo and baggage inspections, which has prevented the entry of 4,000 invasive species of flora and fauna into Galapagos. .