ACTO strengthens international alliances for the protection of the Amazon

Jan 31, 2025Sem categoria

A new space for strategic coordination aims to align investments and strengthen international cooperation in the region.

Brasília, January 30, 2025 – With the Amazon at the center of the debate, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) held its first Cooperative Table on Thursday, January 30. This strategic coordination space brought together cooperation agencies, development banks, and multilateral organizations to align investment priorities, maximize the impact of resources allocated to the protection of the biome, and strengthen the capacity of Amazonian countries to face environmental and social challenges.

The meeting, held at the ACTO headquarters in Brasília, gathered various cooperators who discussed financing strategies and mechanisms to optimize regional cooperation. The aim is to consolidate an integrated approach to preserving the forest and its key role in global climate stability.

A decisive moment for the Amazon

The launch of the Cooperative Table comes at a crucial moment. In August, the presidents of Amazonian countries will meet in Colombia to define a common roadmap that will be presented at COP 30 on climate change in November in Belém.

The ACTO Secretary-General, Martin von Hildebrand, opened the session emphasizing the urgency of joint action to prevent the Amazon rainforest from reaching the point of no return. “We are at a turning point. International cooperation is key to preventing the collapse of the Amazon ecosystem and ensuring the well-being of the communities that depend on it,” he warned.

For ACTO, this year represents a unique opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and consolidate regional leadership in the protection of the biome. “The challenges are immense, but we also have a clear framework for action. The Amazon can no longer be seen just as a region for resource exploitation, but as an essential pillar for global climate stability,” said von Hildebrand.

During the meeting, the ACTO  Permanent Secretariat presented its work plan for 2025, which prioritizes biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, bioeconomy, and climate change mitigation.

International collaboration for a sustainable Amazon

One of the main themes of the event was the search for financing mechanisms for a sustainable transition in the Amazon. The participants analyzed how to optimize available funds and improve efficiency in implementing projects. During the meeting, they presented their investment programs for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the promotion of sustainable economies.

One of the key challenges discussed was the need to strengthen financing mechanisms for the protection of the biome. Amazonian countries cannot take on this responsibility alone, so the importance of greater international participation in financing initiatives to ensure the conservation of the Amazon, a crucial ecosystem for global climate stability, was emphasized. They also discussed the role of the Amazon at COP 30 and how the region’s countries can strengthen their position in international climate negotiations.

Tatiana Schor, head of the Amazon Always program at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), emphasized the need for innovative projects that combine sustainable development with environmental protection.

Luiz Beduschi, rural development specialist at FAO, highlighted the importance of integrating food security into the biome’s conservation agenda. “Food security in the Amazon is directly linked to the conservation of its ecosystems. We cannot guarantee sustainable food without protecting the forests and soils that sustain local communities,” he stressed.

Arthur Braganza, from the World Bank, highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies. “We work with Amazonian governments to strengthen their capacities and promote innovative solutions,” he said.

From the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), Cecilia Malaguti emphasized the need for greater regional integration. “It is essential that Amazonian countries have dialogue platforms to share experiences and effective solutions,” she stated.

The meeting in Brasília was attended by representatives from the IDB, World Bank, CAF, FAO, UNESCO, IICA, GIZ, ABC, UNODC, FONPLATA, and embassies from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, among other key actors.

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