Ambassadors and diplomats from the European Union, with representation in Ecuador and the region visited Santa Cruz, to hold working meetings with several state organizations and institutions and to conduct a microplastic cleanup at Tortuga Bay beach. This will be part of their EU Beach Cleanup campaign.
On Thursday, October 14, the meeting room of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) hosted the international representatives for discussions with local and provincial authorities such as our Executive Director, Rakan Zahawi; the President of the Governing Council of the Special Regime of Galapagos, Joan Sotomayor; officials of the National Police, NGOs, among others, to learn about their work and strengthen relationships to continue and further cooperation.
Early on Friday morning, the delegation, accompanied by the Minister of the Environment, Gustavo Manrique, our director, the director of the Galapagos National Park, the director of the Galapagos Biosecurity Regulation and Control Agency, the CDF science club "Shark-ambassadors" volunteers from the Frente Insular movement, Conservation International, and the media, set out for Tortuga Bay beach to clean up microplastics.
Philip Schauer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany expressed his concern about this reality "It is impressive the amount of microplastics we found on the pristine beach of Tortuga Bay during the #EUBeachCleanUp, it shows how we are all linked in the world in terms of environment and that we have to work together."
"We are happy that our little ambassadors were able to guide them and solve their doubts during the course of this morning. CDF believes deeply in investing in the future leaders of the islands who are undoubtedly agents of change in their families and the community." said CDF Executive Director Rakan Zahawi.
During this activity, authorities and volunteers agreed on the importance of reducing the use of plastics and improving waste sorting processes to give the planet a break.
“We must not forget that what we do today will affect future generations, which is why, as part of the science club, we learn to love and protect our environment and share with the public the importance of conserving the Galapagos Islands," said Hally Angulo, a member of the CDF science club "Shark-ambassadors".
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