On January 29th, we formally established the Colombian-German academic alliance with the Leibniz Institute for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). This collaboration formalizes a long history of joint work between Colombia and the ZMT, with the aim of promoting marine research in both regions.

The ZMT stands out as the only scientific institute in Germany dedicated exclusively to studying tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems. However, it lacks direct access to these ecosystems. As CEMarin, we can provide access to key tropical ecosystems, both in the Pacific and the Caribbean. This promotes scientific excellence, directly impacting the conservation of marine biodiversity and the well-being of communities dependent on these ecosystems.

Óscar Puebla, a researcher at the ZMT, emphasizes that “it is absolutely essential for us to establish collaboration networks in the tropics, and we see CEMarin as our ally to work in Latin America. We have a keen interest in maintaining and developing links between Colombia and Germany for many strategic perspectives.”

At CEMarin, we aim to strengthen our ties, as this Colombian-German academic alliance provides our students with the opportunity to participate in educational exchange programs in marine research. Additionally, having a European partner ensures access to a wide range of resources to leverage our purpose.

With this new Colombian-German academic alliance between CEMarin and ZMT, being the seventh member of the corporation, we are preparating to advance the understanding and conservation of tropical marine ecosystems. It is expected to promote research, education, international cooperation, and innovation in the sector of marine sciences, establishing a lasting impact on the scientific community and the protection of our oceans.