ACTO’s Forests Program, RAFO and RAMIF were highlighted as regional cooperation initiatives among the Amazonian countries.
Rome, September 29, 2026.– Regional cooperation promoted by the eight Member Countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) on forests and integrated fire management was highlighted during the first day of the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), held in Rome, Italy, from September 28 to October 2.
On the first day of the session, the Dominican Republic, in its capacity as Chair of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), noted that sustainable forest management has contributed to reducing forest loss in the region and maintaining low levels of deforestation. It also highlighted that South American countries have some of the most advanced regulatory frameworks on forests and climate change, and recognized ACTO’s Forests Program for the Amazon Basin and Region as a relevant initiative for the region. It should be recalled that this Program is being implemented by the Amazonian Network of Forest Authorities (RAFO).
In the same intervention, the Chair highlighted Integrated Fire Management (IFM) as an agile and effective approach to forest protection, strengthened by regional cooperation. In this context, ACTO’s Amazonian Network of Integrated Fire Management (RAMIF) was cited as an example of mutual regional assistance in addressing transboundary forest fires.
For its part, the Republic of Ecuador endorsed the GRULAC statement and reiterated its commitment to forest conservation and preservation. Regarding forest fires, it referred to the development of public policies on IFM and to its current role as Pro Tempore Chair of RAMIF, within the framework of ACTO.
The references to the Forests Program, RAFO and RAMIF during the first day of COFO 28 highlight the role of Amazonian regional cooperation in addressing challenges that transcend national borders. ACTO’s Permanent Secretariat values these acknowledgements, which reflect the shared commitment of its Member Countries to sustainable forest management in the Amazon forests, as well as integrated fire management, and reaffirm the importance of regional cooperation in addressing common challenges such as forest fires.
ACTO is participating in COFO 28, the FAO’s main intergovernmental body on forestry, which brings together representatives of countries and partner organizations to discuss priorities and challenges on the international forest agenda.
