Natalia Molina, mangrove expert and research professor at UEES, participated in the first meeting of the Committee of Experts (CODEX) for the Collective Scientific Evaluation on the management and sustainable development of mangroves in Ecuador. The meeting took place from July 14-18, 2025 at the headquarters of the French Institute of Research for Development (IRD) in Marseille, France, with the participation of academics from institutions such as ESPOL, UTM, Universidad del Pacífico, IPIAP, Universidad de Guayaquil and IRD experts. This initiative is part of a MAATE project, implemented by the IRD and financed by the French Development Agency (AFD).
The objective of this initiative is to bring together the scientific knowledge generated about Ecuador's mangroves and propose concrete recommendations that contribute to their conservation, strengthening environmental governance, ecosystem services and the social fabric associated with these ecosystems. Over the course of two years, CODEX will work on the preparation of a publication that gathers evidence and technical guidelines that will serve as a guide for authorities and decision makers.
The participation of UEES in this international project demonstrates the scope and commitment of Ecuadorian academia in high-impact research. Through the presence of experts such as Natalia Molina, the country's scientific work is positioned in the global sphere, highlighting the national research capacity in key issues for sustainable development and environmental conservation.
