Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

SESSION ABSTRACT
Misiones is one of the 23 provinces of Argentina, strategically located in the extreme northeast of the country of the Mesopotamia region. Approximately 91% of its borders are international being surrounded by Paraguay to the northwest, Brazil to the north, east and south, and the Argentine province of Corrientes to the southwest. Border activity is intense with more than 27 million entries and exits reflecting that more than 100 million inhabitants live within a radius of 1000km. Misiones is an entrepreneurial province that seeks sustainable solutions for its forestry industry and its expanding smallholding agriculture that exports tea and yerba among other products. Indeed, Misiones is an entrepreneurial province looking for sustainable solutions for its forest industry and expanding agriculture.

Misiones covers close to 1% of the Argentinian surface but harbours 52% of its biodiversity and the Iguazú waterfalls. The pristine Paranaense Forest, which is part of the almost extinct and outstandingly biodiverse Atlantic Forest, a worldwide recognized biodiversity Hot-Spot, is in Misiones. The original surface of the Atlantic Forest has been reduced by 95% over the last century and now the Paranaense Forest is facing a similar fate, in spite of all efforts made by the province, due to increased economic and demographic pressure that the province cannot face alone.
The Paranaense Forest covers the southern end of the Atlantic Forest biome and is the beginning of a transition to the savannahs and grasslands of the Pampean province. These borderline forests, known as ecotones, have many tropical species with valuable genetics, because they have evolved to resist more extreme climatic conditions. The Paranaense Forest is an important refuge for many endangered species.
The forest also provides food and livelihoods to more than 100 communities. In Misiones, more than 4,000 hectares belong to indigenous peoples and local communities
The Paranaense Forest of Misiones, has more than 150 species of mammals, including jaguars; 564 species of birds; 260 species of fish; 116 species of reptiles; 68 species of amphibians; and thousands of plants and fungi species.