Havana, cuba.-Protected areas are natural solutions to the global challenges related to climate change, the director of National Natural Parks in Colombia, Julia Miranda, said today.

Such preservation of natural spaces will help face problems as soil degradation, food security, access to water, health and welfare, asserted Miranda during the opening conference to the 11th International Convention on Environment and Development, currently in session in this capital.

Miranda, who is also deputy president of the World Commission for Protected Areas (WCPA), explained that the 2017-2030 objectives of that organization were focused on supporting the global efforts to optimize the management of protected areas.

Besides, for 2020 , they have set the Aichi Goal, which proposed to achieve at least 17 percent of the protected land areas and continental waters, as well as 10 percent of the coastal and marine waters, she said.

She said that this program defends materializing actions for efficient and equal management of the natural resources.

In this reference, Miranda called to design sustainable financing plans and raise awareness around the world to work in favor of environmental preservation.