CATIE and Cuba Sign Agreement to Develop Innovative Projects on Protected Areas and Climate Change

• CATIE and Cuba Sign Agreement to Develop Innovative Projects on Protected Areas and Climate Change 

November 28, 2023. The CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) signed a joint work program with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment of the Republic of Cuba (CITMA), committing to strengthen collaboration in various key areas during the biennium 2023-2025. 

The genesis of this agreement dates back to March 2023 when a Collaboration Agreement was established between CITMA and CATIE, which is still in force. In this context, both parties agreed to the development of Biennial Work Programs as an essential instrument for the effective implementation of the outlined objectives in the cooperation agreement. 

Among the priority areas identified for the biennium 2023-2025, the development of joint projects, the search for funding, and the opening of a CATIE office in Cuba stand out. These priorities reflect the commitment of both institutions to applied research and direct action to address environmental and agronomic challenges. 

Within the framework of this work program, collaboration with the National Center for Protected Areas (CNAP) is emphasized in the development of an international project on protected areas with nature-based solutions. This project, financially supported by CATIE, seeks to integrate concepts such as circular economy and agroforestry in Cuba, with a special focus on governance and local development. 

Innovative Projects 

The initiative includes the identification of project ideas that will feed into a detailed work program for CATIE in Cuba over the next two years. The prioritization of projects presented by CNAP underscores the importance of local collaboration in formulating contextualized solutions. 

The program also highlights the joint participation of CITMA and CATIE in the Conference of the Parties (COP) on Climate Change in Dubai, with the aim of seizing the opportunity to secure financial resources for south-south cooperation projects in strategic areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

This agreement is not limited to the implementation of specific projects but encompasses general considerations. The inclusion of the Indio Hatuey Experimental Station in exchange and training requests is emphasized, highlighting the cross-cutting nature of capacity building and knowledge management in all priority areas. 

As indicated in the signed document, the Embassy of Cuba in Costa Rica will play a crucial role in monitoring this program, ensuring effective coordination and a constant flow of information between institutions.  

With the signing of this Work Program, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Costa Rica, Jorge Rodríguez Hernández, and the Director General of CATIE, Muhammad Ibrahim, consolidate a joint commitment to research, sustainability, and environmental development in both nations.