The Cartagena Convention established the first regional legal framework for protecting the marine environment of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Key Facts
- Date adopted
- 24 March 1983
- Entered into force
- 11 October 1986
- Ratifying states
- 26 states
- Ninth ratifying party
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Number of major protocols
- 3 protocols
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Growing concern over pollution, habitat degradation, and the ecological vulnerability of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico prompted regional governments to seek a coordinated legal mechanism for marine environmental protection during the early 1980s.
On 24 March 1983, states across the Wider Caribbean Region adopted the Cartagena Convention, a binding international agreement establishing shared obligations for the protection and development of the marine environment of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and adjacent Atlantic waters.
The convention entered into force in 1986 and was subsequently strengthened by three protocols addressing oil spill response, specially protected areas and wildlife, and land-based pollution sources, creating a multilateral framework eventually ratified by 26 states.
Political Outcome
Adoption of a binding regional treaty for marine environmental protection, later supplemented by three major protocols and ratified by 26 states.