Strengthening regional cooperation for the conservation of the Amazon and sustainable development
The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) will play a prominent role at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which will take place from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia. This participation is strategic for ACTO as it will highlight and strengthen regional efforts for biodiversity conservation in the Amazon, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet and critical for global climate balance.
Objectives and Relevance
At this COP, ACTO aims to emphasize its leadership on sustainability and biodiversity issues in the Amazon region, aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework. During the event, ACTO will organize a series of side events covering key topics such as biodiversity conservation, the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, sustainable water resource management, and mitigating the impacts of illicit activities like illegal mining. These events are intended to generate strategic dialogues and promote collective action among the Amazonian countries.
The importance of ACTO’s participation lies in its ability to unite the eight member countries around shared commitments, such as those outlined in the Declaration of Belém. Furthermore, ACTO’s presence at COP 16 is crucial to promoting innovative tools like the Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO), which will be used for environmental data management and to strengthen international cooperation in protecting Amazonian ecosystems.
The significance of ACTO’s participation at COP 16 lies in its capacity to position the Amazon as a key focus in the global biodiversity agenda. In addition to highlighting the challenges and progress in the region, ACTO-led events and activities will provide an opportunity to create synergies with other international actors, foster the implementation of regional public policies, and promote a coordinated approach to addressing challenges such as deforestation, sustainable water resource management, and climate change.
