October 28, 2024 – The Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Organization of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACTO) approved today the Cali Declaration, a historic agreement that reinforces regional commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The extraordinary meeting, held during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), took place in Cali, Colombia.
The meeting was chaired by Colombia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Rojas Rodríguez, and included ministers and high representatives from ACTO member countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
In his opening remarks, the Colombian Foreign Minister emphasized the host country’s commitment to the conservation of the Amazon and highlighted the central role of ACTOas an essential mechanism for coordinating the efforts of Amazonian countries. Meanwhile, the Interim Secretary General of ACTO, Vanessa Grazziotin, expressed gratitude for the delegates’ presence and stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to safeguard the water heart of South America and protect the future for coming generations.
The approval of the Cali Declaration marks a milestone in efforts to protect the Amazon and promote sustainable development based on regional and international cooperation. The ACTO member countries underscored the need to strengthen regional networks for integrated fire management, the Amazon Water Authorities Network, and the working group on the El Niño phenomenon, aiming to mitigate the impacts of drought and environmental degradation. The importance of actively involving indigenous peoples and local communities in implementing conservation strategies and sustainable biodiversity use was also emphasized.
The meeting also addressed the transitional mandate of the General Secretariat, agreeing to continue discussions to ensure an orderly transition and strengthen ACTO’s institutional framework.
The gathering concluded with a working lunch among the ministers, reaffirming their commitment to work together for the future of the Amazon region.
