UN iCOAST tourism program aims to help Mexico's coastal communities

Mexico is joining the U.N.-sponsored iCOAST program to promote low-carbon, circular-economy tourism in several coastal states, and the project is currently under review by the Global Environment Facility Secretariat.

Mexico is joining the U.N.-sponsored iCOAST program as part of an effort to develop a more sustainable and inclusive tourism model along the coast. The Tourism Ministry said the move is intended to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability in coastal destinations. Officials highlighted priorities such as low-carbon models, pollution reduction, the circular economy and greater climate resilience. Pronatura Noroeste will manage iCOAST Mexico in coordination with the federal government. Key points: - The program will focus on coastal destinations in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco. - Goals include reducing pollution and the over-consumption of natural resources and reversing tourism's role in biodiversity loss, while creating livelihoods and jobs for local communities. - The Mexico Travel Channel said Sectur's promotion of iCOAST could benefit more than 877,000 people and integrates gender equality and social inclusion approaches. - iCOAST is funded by the Global Environment Facility and supported by several global agencies, and iCOAST Mexico is under review by the GEF Secretariat. - Once final authorization is granted, Sectur, the Environment Ministry and the Finance Ministry will coordinate with state governments and the private sector to pursue sustainable financing and introduce clean technologies. Summary: The announcement frames iCOAST Mexico as an effort to align tourism activity with environmental protection and community benefits in key coastal states. The project is currently being reviewed by the GEF Secretariat; final authorization would lead to coordinated work by federal ministries, state governments and private-sector partners to establish financing and deploy clean technologies.