It is aimed at promoting scientific knowledge, technological development and productive innovation in the South Atlantic, in order to create a culture of the sea in Argentine society, promote the sustainable use of natural marine assets and strengthen the growth of the associated national industry.
With the presence of authorities from the participating Ministries - Science, Technology and Innovation; Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship; Environment and Sustainable Development; Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; Tourism and Sports; Defense and Security - the relaunch of the Pampa Azul initiative was carried out by videoconference on July 6.
This State policy on research in Argentine marine spaces began to be implemented in April, 2014, with the aim of articulating the actions promoted by the different areas of the State in the field of scientific research, technological development and marine innovation.
The meeting was headed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Nation, Roberto Salvarezza, who after thanking his cabinet colleagues for their presence at this first meeting of the Inter-ministerial Committee of the Pampa Azul initiative, recalled the presentation in 2014 by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, “aimed at increasing the knowledge of the Argentine Sea with the idea not only of improving its productivity, but also of making our sovereignty visible in territories where Argentina suffers the depredation of its natural resources”. In reference to this first meeting, the head of the scientific portfolio stressed the importance of resuming the spirit of what Pampa Azul was in its beginnings and the importance of scientific and environmental knowledge applied to production and sovereignty: “This shows the political will of this government to walk towards the Argentine sea”.
In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Felipe Solá, said that “the best way to defend our sovereignty is to know our natural resources and their dynamics. We must also anticipate the effects of climate change on our own natural resources, that is the bottom line. From the authority that scientific and technological knowledge gives us, we can then reach a higher level of decisions and operations”.
For his part, the Minister of Defense, Agustín Rossi, explained that the Secretariat of Science and Technology for Defense, the Naval Hydrography Service, the Argentine Navy and the Naval Industry are all involved in this initiative, which he considers of vital importance for the country: “I celebrate this launching: from a scientific, geopolitical and economic point of view, the South Atlantic is very relevant; we will make all our resources and capacities available to achieve the objectives of the Pampa Azul initiative”.
Next, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Luis Basterra, stated “we are fully available for this space for coordination” and emphasized the transversality and shared responsibility of the areas involved in the initiative “to maximise synergies in order to achieve the proposed results and give our sea the corresponding visibility”.
“I am pleased that the first inter-ministerial meeting is held today. I think it is a project that was once very auspicious and welcomed. Having the political will to reactivate it and to put it into operation brings us the hope of exercising sovereignty over a space that is Argentine. It is worth our vision, investment, knowledge and ability to put it even more in value”, said the Minister of Security, Sabina Frederic.
Finally, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Juan Cabandié, said that the scientific approach is of the utmost importance: “Putting it at the center is a smart policy on our part”. At the same time, he stressed the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and making our maritime resources sustainable. “It will be very useful for us to be able to relaunch Pampa Azul, this initiative that Cristina Fernández started in 2014 and President Alberto Fernández wisely lays on the table today to be able to articulate the necessary public policies”, he concluded.
Also present at the virtual meeting were the Secretary of the Malvinas, Antarctica and the South Atlantic, Daniel Filmus; the coordinator of Oceanic Policy and the South Atlantic, Josefina Bunge; the Secretary of Science, Technology and Industry for Defense, Daniela Castro; the Secretary for Strategic Affairs of the Presidency of the Nation, Gustavo Beliz; the President of the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET in the Spanish acronym), Ana Franchi; the member of the President's Council of Advisers, Cecilia Nicolini, and other officials and personnel of the Technical Council involved in the initiative. The meeting was moderated by the head of the Advisory Cabinet Unit, Carolina Vera, who is also in charge of the executive coordination of Pampa Azul.
About Pampa Azul
The general guidelines of Pampa Azul are established by an Interministerial Coordinating Committee, made up of representatives of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship; the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries; the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; the Ministry of Defense; the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
The Coordinating Committee is in charge of the design and implementation of a strategic plan structured around three main axes:
- Promote the generation of interdisciplinary scientific knowledge that serves as a basis for the preservation and sustainable management of marine natural resources.
- Foster technological innovations that contribute to the strengthening of the sea-related industries and to the economic development of the Argentine maritime regions.
- Promote greater awareness in Argentine society about its maritime heritage and the responsible use of its resources.
Pampa Azul seeks to strengthen, modernize and expand research infrastructures; promote appropriate technologies for the exploration and exploitation of marine resources; promote productive innovation in industries related to this sector; promote the generation of knowledge for the conservation and management of marine natural resources and train human capital in scientific disciplines and related technological areas.
Furthermore, it is aimed at contributing to the development of greater social awareness about the services and benefits that the sea provides, by deploying a specific agenda for communication and scientific dissemination. Hence the medium and long-term planning that promotes multidisciplinary approaches and inter-institutional synergies.
The Initiative considers five priority geographic areas to focus research efforts. These are: Burdwood Bank / Namuncurá Protected Area; the Blue Hole / Continental Slope; the Golfo San Jorge; the Subantarctic Islands (South Georgia and South Sandwich ); and the Fluvio-Marine System of the Río de la Plata.
Among the institutions that participate in Pampa Azul are the CONICET, the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP in the Spanish acronym), national universities and science and technology institutions of the ministries that are part of the initiative.
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