Bogotá, August 18, 2025 – The 5th Summit of Amazonian Presidents is taking place this week in Bogotá, where the presidents of Amazonian countries, such as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Gustavo Petro, foreign ministers from the eight Amazonian countries, as well as other authorities and indigenous leaders, are expected to attend.
The fight against transnational crimes, climate change, the bioeconomy, regional governance, protection of indigenous peoples, financial mechanisms, cooperation in science and technology, and strategies to avoid the “tipping point” for the biome will be among the topics of debate.
The kickoff of the largest regional gathering on one of the largest and most important biomes on the planet took place Monday evening in Bogotá, in an event that brought together members of the Colombian government, indigenous leaders, and civil society.
“We cannot look at the Amazon in parts. It is necessary to have a comprehensive vision that allows us to find environmental, ecological, and security solutions. For this, it is essential to involve civil society. Protecting the Amazon is protecting indigenous peoples and, therefore, life itself. We must seize the commitment of governments to continue advancing toward the 5th Summit of Presidents of Amazonian Countries”, stated Martín van Hildebrand, Secretary-General of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).
“The cultural wealth of indigenous peoples is linked to the biodiversity of the territory. It is impossible to think about environmental protection without taking into account the communities that inhabit it. That is why we speak of a plural and complementary vision that helps strengthen ACTO and, at the same time, gives a stronger voice to the Amazon region”, said Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Acting Foreign Minister of Colombia.
Until next Friday, summit participants will share their knowledge, experiences, and proposals aimed at structuring public policies focused on Amazon protection, taking into account the ancestral knowledge of those who have inhabited and protected the forest for centuries.
“To continue talking about biodiversity, we need knowledge in favor of life. Protecting the Amazon is no longer solely the responsibility of indigenous peoples, but of society as a whole and of the governments of the basin. We must understand that we are saving the life of the entire planet, and therefore, real, fair, and equitable actions are essential”, said Oswaldo Muca, President of the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC).
It should be noted that this collective effort will reach its culmination next Friday, August 22, when, at the Plaza de Armas of the Palacio de Nariño, Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, will welcome his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the other authorities from Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Suriname, and Guyana to hear proposals from indigenous, environmental, and social leaders.
Subsequently, the 5th Meeting of Presidents of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) will take place, where it is expected that the leaders will adopt the Bogotá Declaration. This treaty will serve as a roadmap for the future desired by Amazonian peoples and will be presented at COP30, which will be held in November in the Brazilian city of Belém.
From Belém to Bogotá
The meeting also aims to reinforce the commitments of the Belém Declaration, signed in 2023, and to build a political and technical consensus that will be taken to COP30. The Bogotá Declaration is expected to establish new goals and actions to protect the biome, mitigate climate impacts, and ensure cooperation among Amazonian countries. “The Bogotá Declaration should strengthen the ties established in Belém in 2023, providing guidelines for regional cooperation and setting goals and actions for the coming years, to mitigate climate effects, avoid the tipping point, and generate possible positive impacts for the entire planet”, says ACTO Secretary-General Martín van Hildebrand.
In the days prior to the presidential meeting, the agenda will be marked by two crucial events for building consensus: the Meeting of the Amazon Cooperation Council (CCA) and the Meeting of Foreign Ministers. These gatherings will align resolutions and lay the groundwork for the future Bogotá Declaration.
An Indispensable Forest for the Future of the Planet
The Amazon covers nearly 40% of South America’s territory and is home to about 50 million people, including approximately 400 indigenous peoples. With its unique biodiversity, it is fundamental for regulating the hydrological cycle, maintaining air quality, and ensuring global climate stability. The forest stores around 100 billion tons of carbon and influences rainfall patterns that directly affect agriculture and ecosystems across South America, playing a vital role in climate change mitigation and global environmental conservation.
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