Rome, July 25 – In a historic announcement during the plenary at the COFO27, the delegation of Ecuador presented today the Amazon Network of Forest Authorities (ANFA). This initiative, leaded by the Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), received the unanimous approval from the eight amazonian countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Peru and Venezuela, during the VI Meeting of Forest Authorities, consolidating a new milestone in regional collaboration.
This important decision is in addition to the creation of the Amazon Network for Integrated Fire Management (RAMIF) and the Network of Amazon Water Authorities (RADA), both established last year. The Network of Forest Authorities aims to strengthen the exchange of knowledge and experiences among member countries, promoting initiatives such as thedevelopment of value chains in the forest bioeconomy and the implementation of transnational deforestation control systems.
Likewise, the use of technologies and innovations will be promoted through the Amazon Regional Observatory (ORA), a regional technological instrument developed by ACTO to facilitate access to relevant information and promote technical cooperation.
With the creation of the RAFO, ACTO Member Countries reaffirm their commitment to the protection and sustainable management of one of the most important and biodiverse biomes on the planet. This joint effort represents a decisive step towards a more coordinated and effective management of Amazonian forest resources, ensuring their conservation for future generations.
“The Amazon is the largest tropical biome on the planet and is home to an unmatched wealth of biodiversity. Protecting it is a shared and fundamental responsibility to face the climate crisis and preserve biological diversity”, said the Foreign Minister.
Grazziotin and Paredes emphasized the relevance of cooperation among Amazonian countries to face common challenges and take advantage of sustainable development opportunities. The executive director of ACTO pointed out that “the Amazon is vital not only for our countries, but for the entire world. This visit reaffirms our joint commitment to protecting this crucial biome.”
During the meeting, strategic issues such as the implementation of the Belém Declaration and the need for a fair financing for environmental conservation were discussed.
The ambassadors present also stated their commitment to ACTO and regional integration, highlighting the need to implement the Belém Declaration’s mandates, which guides the organization’s work towards institutional strengthening and greater cooperation among member countries.
The meeting culminated in a call for regional integration and cooperation, highlighting the importance of ACTO as a platform to strengthen environmental governance in the Amazon.
