# Mesoamerican biodiversity conservation efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mesoamerican-biodiversity-conservation-efforts
> Updated: 2026-09-12T00:29:19.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 4.

Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have initiated trilateral cooperation to protect the Great Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor, aiming to maintain ecological connectivity across 5.7 million hectares of jungle. This effort supports the broader ‘30x30’ goal to conserve 30% of the region’s land, inland waters, and marine zones by 2030.

At the Mesoamerica Regional Forum towards 30x30 in Mérida, Yucatán, stakeholders developed a regional roadmap to achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework's Goal 3. Organized by the IUCN, SEMARNAT, and CONANP, with support from GEF, KfW, and the Government of Canada, the forum emphasized that progress must move “beyond increasing protected hectares to ensuring the operational resources necessary for effective management.”

During the forum, Marina Robles, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration, warned that conservation goals may only exist “on paper” without direct community involvement. She noted that because approximately 70% of Mexican territory is socially owned, ejidos and local communities must be central to restoration strategies. This urgency is underscored by Semarnat data showing that over 30% of Mexico’s territory is degraded and that the country lost 4.8 million hectares of forest cover between 2001 and 2023.

Currently, the region protects 24.5% of its land surface and 25.3% of its marine areas. Discussions continue to focus on equitable governance and sustainable financing to prepare for international commitments, including the COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2027 IUCN World Congress in Panama.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-12: Mexico warns conservation goals may fail without community involvement

Mexico warns that 30x30 conservation goals will fail to protect ecosystems unless local communities and social landholders are directly involved in decision-making processes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-warns-conservation-goals-may-fail-without-community-involvement

### 2026-09-03: Mesoamerica Regional Forum targets 30x30 biodiversity goals

Mesoamerican leaders and organizations met in Mérida to create a roadmap for the 30x30 biodiversity goal, focusing on sustainable financing and equitable governance for protected areas.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mesoamerica-regional-forum-targets-30x30-biodiversity-goals

### 2026-08-28: Mesoamerica targets 30% land and sea conservation by 2030

Mesoamerican leaders and stakeholders are working to meet the 30x30 goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030, focusing on transboundary ecosystems and indigenous-led conservation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mesoamerica-targets-30-land-and-sea-conservation-by-2030

### 2026-08-23: Mesoamerica conservation efforts aim to protect 5.7 million hectares

Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize are collaborating to protect the 5.7 million-hectare Great Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor to ensure ecological connectivity for species like the jaguar.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mesoamerica-conservation-efforts-aim-to-protect-57-million-hectares

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Cite as: Mesoamerican biodiversity conservation efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mesoamerican-biodiversity-conservation-efforts