As part of the process of building an environmental vision, the Military Forces presented the results of the process of supporting the construction of resources for the environmental vision of the Military Forces in national security and defense, through a research carried out by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP), with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Embassy of the United Kingdom, within the framework of the TEFOS (Sustainable Forest Territories) program.
The event, held on March 19, brought together actors of the Defense Sector and allied institutions, with the aim of generating a space for analysis and reflection aimed at consolidating a comprehensive view on environmental challenges facing the country, strengthening coordination and cooperation ties with institutions of the national and international order.
Military forces strengthen their environmental vision
During the activity, the main findings of the study were shown, which present how environmental degradation, illegal activities, land use conflicts and socio-environmental conflicts directly hit territorial governance and security environments. In this context, the event highlighted the need of the Military Forces to have an environmental vision coordinated with their constitutional mission, which strengthens the institutional control of the territory, contributes to the protection of the environment and supports the sustainable development of the country.
One of the central moments of the event was in charge of the expert panel, made up of:
Nicolás Galarza, expert in the sustainable framework and former Vice-minister of Environmental and Territorial Planning.
Hector Morales Morales, senior consultant at Adelphi Research.
CT. Mariana García Prieto, Director of Environmental Protection and Management of the General Command of the Military Forces.
During the panel, the experts reflected on the importance of integrating the environmental component in a transversal way in the strategic planning and coordination of the Military Forces, highlighting that environmental protection is not only an institutional responsibility, but in the same way a key factor to weaken the finances of criminal organizations, reduce risks associated with climate change and disasters, and strengthen democratic governance in the territories.
In the same way, the gaps identified in the research were analyzed, along with their coherence with the doctrine and the mission objectives of the Military Forces, and the main challenges to implement a comprehensive environmental vision, emphasizing the need of inter-institutional coordination, efficiency of military operations and strategic targeting.
The event concluded with a space for feedback by the attendees, whose contributions will serve as source to continue advancing in the consolidation of a solid and coherent environmental vision, which enables the Military Forces to respond effectively to contemporary environmental challenges, in harmony with security, national defense and sustainable development of Colombia.
Source: Department of Strategic Communications - General command of the military forces
