Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MMARN) expressed the interest of the Dominican Government in having non-profit organizations participate as observers in the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties (COP28), convened for the end of the year by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
During a panel organized by the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), through its Alejandro E. Grullón E. Chair of Sustainability, the MMARN offered participants the opportunity to learn about the accreditation process and experiences of accredited Dominican organizations as observers at the conference to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
María del Carmen Vargas, director of Social Participation of the MMARN, and Gabriela Márquez, specialist and negotiator in climate transparency, presented the requirements to request accreditation before the UNFCCC, regarding which they highlighted its advantages and facilities. Until COP27, which took place last year with the participation of more than 12,000 representatives, there were more than 3,000 non-governmental organizations accredited as observers, the speakers reported.
They also explained the mechanisms through which the Ministry provides resources to local NGOs through the National Subsidy System for Non-Profit Associations (ASFL).
Among the participants in the panel was Max Puig, executive vice president of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CNCCMDL).
During the panel moderated by Juan Carlos Monterrey, executive director of Geoversity in Panama, Dominican non-governmental organizations accredited to the UNFCCC shared their experiences in the accreditation process and their participation in the conferences and parallel events of this international body.
Laura Rathe, vice president of the Plenitude Foundation, highlighted the importance of participating in this type of international event to fulfill the oversight role of civil society and follow up on the climate commitments of the States. Furthermore, she indicated that this participation allows us to strengthen collaboration between environmental organizations and that in the parallel events they have even been able to present academic and scientific research carried out in the Dominican Republic.
Eduardo Julia, vice director of Strategic Affairs of the Sur Futuro Foundation, indicated that participating in these conferences has made it possible for his organization to turn climate change into a transversal issue in all its projects.
Meanwhile, Elías Dinzey, general manager of the Popular Foundation, stressed that participation in the COPs is key to raising the voice of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as the Dominican Republic, which represent few emissions. of carbon dioxide, but they are more vulnerable and directly suffer the adverse effects of climate change.
The panel ended with an exchange of ideas, questions and answers in which the representatives of the invited organizations commented on the support that the MMARN provides to its operations at the national level and highlighted that accreditation before the UNFCCC represents a great opportunity for growth in the climate change area for local NGOs.