Mexico Joins Global Initiative to Restore Mangroves

Mexico has joined the international Mangrove Breakthrough initiative to conserve and restore these vital ecosystems. This commitment aligns with global conservation goals and comes at a crucial time as countries prepare to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Alicia Bárcena, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), says that the initiative aims to mobilize US$4 billion by 2030 to conserve and restore 15Mha of mangroves worldwide. With Mexico's participation, the number of national and state governments supporting the initiative now stands at 36.  

Bárcena says that mangrove conservation and restoration is a top priority for Mexico. She adds that SEMARNAT will lead government actions toward this goal, seeking partnerships with other sectors across the country. She says that the National Restoration Plan will consist of three phases, focusing on 300 priority sites, with special attention given to marine ecosystems in Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Campeche, Tabasco, and Guerrero.  

Mangroves serve as crucial natural barriers, which were lacking when Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco in 2023, resulting in dozens of deaths and severe material damage, says Bárcena. She highlights that special attention will be given to 17,000ha in Acapulco, which have been largely degraded due to the development of hotel, residential, and tourism complexes.  

The announcement was made during the National Workshop “Mobilizing the Mangrove Breakthrough," organized by the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Mexican Alliance for Ecosystem Restoration (AMERE). Held in Mexico City, the event brought together government representatives, researchers, NGOs, the private sector, and financial institutions with the goal of creating a clear pathway to mobilize essential funding for mangrove-friendly projects in Mexico.  

Carlos Correa, Ambassador, Mangrove Advancement, says that the authorities’ support demonstrates that Mexico is serious about protecting mangroves and fulfilling its international commitments. Similarly, Jorge Rickards, General Director, WWF Mexico, adds that SEMARNAT's backing reflects the momentum within the country to protect mangroves, from the local communities that safeguard these ecosystems to the highest levels of federal, state, and local governments.  

The World Resources Institute (WRI) Mexico also participated in the workshop. The organization provided feedback and worked to strengthen collaboration among various sectors, including the private and financial sectors, as well as the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA). "This space represents a unique opportunity to align efforts and mobilize funding to implement concrete actions for mangrove conservation and restoration in Mexico," says Mitzi García, Representative, WRI Mexico.   

The Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Working Group focuses on providing technical support to countries so they can incorporate clear, science-based, and measurable mangrove-related objectives, policies, and measures into their NDCs.  

"The Mexican government's support is a key milestone for mangrove conservation. We are excited about what comes next and the potential to increase capital flows toward these critical ecosystems," says Ignace Beguin, Executive Director, Mangrove Advancement. 

Mexico ranks as the fourth country in the world with the largest mangrove coverage and the second in Latin America and the Caribbean, with over 905,086 ha, according to FAO. Although about 76% of these ecosystems are under some form of protection, Global Mangrove Watch reports a loss of more than 44,000ha of mangroves since 1996. This decline is mainly attributed to land-use changes, coastal development, aquaculture, and the effects of climate change.