COP 16: Peru to Showcase Achievements of MERESE Mechanism to Conserve Water Resources and Biodiversity in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, Arequipa

At the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that begins on October 21 in Cali, Colombia, Peru will show the importance of the MERESE tool (Mechanism for the Remuneration of Ecosystem Services) and its application in an innovative model for the conservation and sustainable management of water resources and biodiversity.

Thanks to an alliance model between Sedapar, Sernanp, the NGO Descosur (Reserve administrator), and Profonanpe, plus the participation of public and private actors, MERESE in Arequipa has enabled the construction of 19 qochas, canals, and infiltration ditches. In record time, wetlands have recovered and the capacities of communities to carry out conservation techniques have been strengthened in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.

From October 21 to November 1, the city of Cali, Colombia will host the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will bring together world leaders from more than 190 countries, including heads of state, authorities, and experts, to make concrete decisions that will determine the future of our planet. The accelerated loss of species and natural resources obliges us to act with the objective of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

Peru’s participation will be particularly prominent, with the presentation of the successful MERESE tool (Mechanism for Remuneration for Ecosystem Services). MERESE is a mechanism to mobilize investments in ecosystems and natural water sources based on contributions from all water users through their monthly bills, which are collected by Peru’s sanitation service providers. 

With the technical support and collaboration of the Natural Infrastructure for Water Security (NIWS) project, a joint effort by USAID, the Government of Canada, and Forest Trends, this innovative tool is proving effective in the implementation of projects for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of water ecosystems in the Arequipa region and other regions. In Peru, 32 EPSs have already begun to implement their MERESE, and more than 132 million soles have already been raised for projects to recover natural water sources and ecosystems. 

The Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve (RNSAB), one of Peru’s 77 Protected Natural Areas, is one of the main beneficiaries of the tool and currently provides water to 90% of the population in that region.  

Aware of the importance of the the National Reserve as the region’s main water source, NIWS has promoted a model to accelerate investments in natural infrastructure based on an agreement signed between the water utility Arequipa Potable Water and Sanitation Service (SEDAPAR;), the National Protected Natural Areas Service (SERNANP), and the Fund for the Promotion of Peru’s Natural Protected Areas (PROFONANPE). This model allows user contributions collected by SEDAPAR to be channeled through PROFONANPE to carry out interventions supervised and coordinated by SERNANP and executed by the NGO DESCOSUR, administrator of the National Reserve. 

DESCOSUR has a 25-year administration contract for the reserve with SERNANP. Thanks to MERESE’s Intervention Plan, significant progress has been made in restoring ecosystems, biodiversity, and strengthening local communities.

MERESE’s success in the Quilca-Chili watershed in Arequipa is an example of good governance and collaboration between public and private actors. This model not only protects essential water resources, but also lays the foundation for a future where biodiversity and economic development go hand in hand, with potential for replication in other regions of Peru and South America.

Since October 2021, SEDAPAR began raising MERESE resources to finance conservation and restoration projects in the National Reserve, executing approximately US$ 454,000 in various actions between 2022 and 2023, such as:

• Infrastructure construction: 19 qochas, 38 km of canals and 13 km of infiltration ditches have been built to improve water capture and storage.
• Ecosystem restoration: 243.9 hectares have been restored in four bofedales, through measures such as the implementation of cattle exclusion and other types of fencing to protect sensitive areas. 
• Community strengthening: Through training and workshops, 537 people (311 women and 226 men) have strengthened their capacities in conservation techniques and sustainable management of natural resources. A total of 272 families have actively participated in these initiatives.
• In April 2024, a new agreement extended the alliance for three more years and committed US$1.5 million to continue implementing actions through 2026 to protect, conserve, and restore the ecosystem services provided by the Quilca Chili River Basin, which is included in the National Reserve and its buffer zone.

NIWS has driven ecosystem conservation in Peru from 2018 to the present, promoting the development of a Portfolio of investments valued at USD372 million in natural infrastructure projects for water security.

NIWS, a joint effort of USAID, the Government of Canada, and Forest Trends, together with its partners Condesan, SPDA, and Imperial College London strengthened the capacities of institutions such as Sedapar, Sedapal, EPS Moyobamba, and Sedacusco to develop natural infrastructure projects, managing to reduce the time needed to develop these initiatives. 

The goal is to elevate Peru as a regional model for the sustainable management of water resources and biodiversity conservation.

Event details

Date: 10/24

Place: Peru Pavilion, COP CALI, Colombia

Time: 16:30 – 17:45 hours

Whatsapp: +51 996437829 (Doris Mejía, Comms Lead Forest Trends)

More info: GIVING BACK IN ORDER TO CONSERVE