Bogotá, August 22, 2025 (@OCTAnews) – Following the 5th Meeting of Presidents of the States Party to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT), held at the Palacio de Nariño, house of government, the attending leaders approved the declaration reaffirming their countries’ commitment to continue multilateral cooperation aimed at addressing the Amazon’s climate, social, environmental, and economic challenges.
Among the key points discussed was the importance of integrating scientific and Indigenous knowledge, advancing actions to tackle the climate crisis, and strengthening dialogue between governments and Amazonian peoples through the Amazon Indigenous Peoples Mechanism (MAPI).
The leaders also emphasized the need to establish the ACTO Financial Mechanism to enhance international cooperation for the region’s protection and support the implementation of the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) to finance tropical forest conservation. They also highlighted the Public Security Commission’s role in combating cross-border illicit activities, including environmental crimes.
Martín von Hildebran, Secretary-General of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), stated that this meeting provided a major boost ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this coming November, to reinforce the understanding of the Amazon as an integrated ecosystem requiring global solutions.
“It’s important that the tipp8ng point is being discussed with such emphasis, but we must not forget that 17% of the region is already deforested, very close to the 25% threshold that would trigger a collapse,” Hildebran said.
For his part, Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted the importance of the ACTO Social mechanism—an inclusive dialogue platform between governments, Indigenous peoples, and civil society to strengthen cooperation and participation in projects and initiatives focused on protecting the Amazon biome. “The world will have to decide whether it wants war and famine or life and saving the planet. And for that, it is essential to consider those who inhabit the largest tropical forest on Earth,” said the president.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on all Amazonian countries to arrive united, as one bloc, at COP30, which will take place in Belém this November.
“This is a renewed call to action for the eight countries that make up ACTO to work toward a new model of sustainable development. We must show the world that the forest is worth far more with its trees standing than cut down. The path is clear: fight to avoid reaching the point of no return, combat organized crime, and guarantee the dignity of the peoples living in the Amazon,” Lula added.
Meanwhile, Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce congratulated ACTO’s technical teams and the member countries for their work and sent a message: “There are tasks we must continue undertaking, and the road is long to counter years of neglect of our tropical forest.”
Finally, Ecuadorian Vice President María José Pinto celebrated the shared understanding among Amazonian countries that ecosystem care goes beyond environmental concerns and that economic, social, and political issues are equally critical to avoiding the point of no return.
Pinto also extended an invitation for social organizations, Indigenous peoples, and government representatives to attend the 6th Amazonian Countries Summit, to be held in Ecuador in 2027.
Access the Bogotá Declaration: https://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa/Paginas/Declaracion-de-Bogota-al-termino-del-V-Encuentro-de-presidentes-de-la-Organizacion-del-Tratado-de-Cooperacion-250822.aspx
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