Cali, Colombia, October 30, 2024 — The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) participated today in the official launch of the Pan-Amazonian Bioeconomy Network, an initiative that is part of Conservation International (CI) and aims to consolidate regional cooperation in the Amazon. The event took place during COP 16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). ACTO was represented by Mauro Ruffino, coordinator of the Amazon Regional Observatory (ORA), who highlighted the fundamental role of this Network in strengthening collaboration among the countries of the region.
The Pan-Amazonian Bioeconomy Network was established to promote closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, ensuring that bioeconomy projects and programs are sustainable and aligned with the needs of local communities. “It is essential to build a shared vision, respecting the particularities of each country and leveraging existing capacities,” emphasized Ruffino during his speech.
Participants discussed strategies to open new markets for products and services derived from the Amazonian bioeconomy, as well as explore financial mechanisms, policies, and programs aimed at promoting economic development that values and preserves the region’s biodiversity.
The launch of the Pan-Amazonian Bioeconomy Network, led by Conservation International, represents a step in a process that began in June 2023 during an initial conference that laid the groundwork for this initiative. Since then, more than 20 local, national, and global partners have contributed to its development, with the aim of fostering joint action and coordination among various key stakeholders in the region.
This joint effort seeks to consolidate the Network as a reference platform for promoting bioeconomy in the Amazon, advocating for a development approach that respects the natural and cultural wealth of the Amazonian peoples while exploring new opportunities for sustainable economic development.
