Cali, Colombia.- On October 29, 2024, in the city of Cali, Colombia, Martin von Hildebrand officially assumed the role of Secretary-General of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). The ceremony, held at the Colombia Pavilion during the COP 16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), marked a new chapter in the history of the regional organization. Vanessa Grazziotin, ACTO’s Executive Director, officially inaugurated von Hildebrand with the support of the eight member countries.
Von Hildebrand’s appointment represents a significant milestone for ACTO, given the extensive career of the new Secretary-General in protecting the Amazon and advocating for the territorial rights of Indigenous peoples. Von Hildebrand is widely recognized for his work in developing conservation policies and pioneering the recognition of Indigenous territories in Colombia, where he successfully protected over 200,000 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest.
With more than five decades of experience in the environmental field, von Hildebrand has dedicated much of his life to the Amazon. As the founder and director of the Gaia Amazonas Foundation, he has worked alongside Indigenous communities to promote sustainability and autonomy in the management of their territories. His work has gained international recognition, being honored with the prestigious Right Livelihood Award, known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize.’
During the ceremony, von Hildebrand reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty and emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to address environmental challenges threatening the Amazon, such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, among others.
