华盛顿（2021年1月22日） -The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean – otherwise known as the Escazú Agreement– was acceded to by Mexico and Argentina today and can officially enter into force in 90 days, on Earth Day. Mexico and Argentina join Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, St. Vincent, St. Kitts and Nevis, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay and St. Lucia in showing political will to defend human rights and foster human-centered development.

The Escazú Agreement is historic as the first treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean designed to protect environmental defenders across the region, while making it easier for nearly 500 million people to access information, participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives, and hold powerful interests accountable.

该协议于2018年3月4日在哥斯达黎加的埃斯卡祖（Escazú）首次通过，该协议本来是Berta Caceres的生日，这是洪都拉斯环境卫的生日，也是高盛奖的前获奖者，他两年前被悲惨地被谋杀。该协议为伯塔（Berta）等环境捍卫者提供了前所未有的特殊保护，包括：1）保证为人和组织提供安全的环境，以便他们摆脱威胁，限制和不安全感；2）采取措施认识，保护和促进环境捍卫者的权利；3）采取措施预防，调查和惩罚对环境捍卫者的攻击，威胁或恐吓。

So far, 24 countries total have signed the Escazú Agreement, 10 countries ratified the legally binding agreement, and 2 acceded (after the signature deadline). A number of countries are making significant progress towards accession, like Colombia, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

Following is a statement from Carole Excell, Director, Environmental Democracy Practice, World Resources Institute:

“The Escazú Agreement will make the world safer for environmental defenders if it is implemented effectively. The agreement entering into force is a landmark moment for everyone who believes people have a right to a healthy environment and the ability to speak up to protect it.

“WRI congratulates all 12 countries that are parties to the Escazú Agreement and encourages more to join. The agreement’s entry into force shows momentum within civil society, environmental defenders and social movements across Latin America and the Caribbean. This groundbreaking agreement – which includes obligations for governments to ensure protection of environmental defenders and recognize environmental rights – is critical to ensure a just and fair recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild trust between governments and the public.

“To succeed, the Escazú Agreement needs support from the international community, including funding and capacity building from other regions; and more signatories across Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Following is a statement from Andrés Flores Montalvo, Climate and Energy Director, WRI México:

“墨西哥一直是民间社会参与环境决策的积极推动者。它对对非政府组织开放多边气候谈判的贡献也得到了广泛认可。必威官网是真的吗我们庆祝对Escazú协议的批准，这是为确保所有墨西哥公民获得信息和环境正义的进一步步骤。”