The Second Regional Dialogue Meeting on “Progress and Challenges in the Construction of the Amazon Platform for Indigenous Peoples” has officially begun in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, with an inaugural ceremony attended by delegates from the eight member countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). Acting Secretary General and Executive Director of ACTO, Vanessa Grazziotin, emphasized the significance of this event and the importance of regional collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by the Amazon.
This new push for a Common Cooperation Agenda is framed within the Declaration of Belém from the IV Summit of Amazon Presidents held on August 8-9, 2023, and the XIV Meeting of Foreign Ministers. The agenda focuses on topics such as establishing an integrated agenda encompassing regional public policies, fostering the exchange of traditional knowledge and innovative technologies, committing to the conservation of Amazon ecosystems, recognizing and respecting the territorial and cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as promoting initiatives in this area and adopting management practices that enhance the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate crises and other threats.
In her opening speech, Grazziotin highlighted that the Second Meeting will focus on presenting the progress and results of the process for creating the Regional Platform. “It is crucial that the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from this meeting are strong and useful for decision-making within the framework of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty and the next steps we must take as a region,” she stated.
To ensure clarity and effectiveness in the dialogue, the sessions are organized in a structured and sequential manner, facilitating a deep understanding of the project’s outcomes. This approach will allow delegates to exchange ideas and experiences effectively, ensuring that every voice is heard in the pursuit of solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Amazon region.
The meeting promises to be an enriching space for collaboration between governments and Indigenous Peoples, aiming to strengthen the resilience of the Amazon and promote the inclusion of ancestral knowledge in environmental decision-making.
The ACTO initiative, through the project to Create the Regional Amazon Platform for Indigenous Peoples, needs to be considered in the design of public policies and climate action. To this end, it includes three components: a) facilitating the exchange of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience experiences rooted in Indigenous knowledge to address climate change; b) forming a Regional Amazon Platform for Indigenous Peoples connected to the global platform of the UNFCCC; and c) building a Regional Amazon Strategy for Indigenous Peoples and climate change.
The Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization is represented by the Coordinator of Indigenous Affairs, Freddy Mamani Machaca, and the technical team, along with special guests.
The Second Meeting, held at the Amazon Cooperation Training Center (AECID) in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, from October 1st to 4th, 2024, features the participation of delegates from the member countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty and Indigenous representatives from the Amazon region, as well as implementing agencies AECID, GIZ, and ECLAC from the Euroclima+ Program.
