Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

Strategic Importance for the Region

The Amazon Project demonstrated that regional cooperation plays a fundamental role in building collaborative spaces and acts as a catalyst for coordinated actions for the protection and sustainable use of shared resources.

Proven Relevance

  • The historic 2023 drought reinforced the need for integrated monitoring systems
  • Extreme climate challenges can only be addressed through regional cooperation
  • The Amazon Basin, as an interconnected system, demands integrated management among the eight countries

Significant Contributions

  • Strengthening of shared and sustainable water resources management
  • Development of installed capacities of Amazonian institutions
  • Creation of standardized technical tools (protocols, monitoring networks)
  • Establishment of permanent information exchange channels

Main Challenges Identified

Technical Challenges

  • Continental scale: Monitoring 5.9 million km² requires significant resources

  • Diversity of capacities: Different levels of institutional development among countries

  • Standardization: Harmonizing regional technical procedures and protocols

  • Connectivity: Ensuring data transmission in remote areas

Logistical Challenges

  • Access to remote locations for equipment installation and maintenance

  • Extreme weather conditions affecting equipment operation

  • Coordination among multiple institutions and different national systems

Institutional Challenges

  • Financial sustainability of monitoring systems

  • Political continuity of cooperation actions

  • Data integration among different national systems

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Need for flexibility in planning and execution

  • Importance of regular virtual meetings for project management

  • Adaptation of training methods to distance learning modality

Impact

Amazon Basin Project (ACTO/UNEP/GEF)

Strategic convergence:

  • Trinational Early Warning System (Bolivia, Brazil, Peru)
  • Use of DCPs installed by the Amazon Project
  • Continuity of integrated monitoring actions

Amazon Network of Water Authorities (RADA)

Institutionalization of cooperation:

  • Implementation of developed monitoring protocols
  • Development of hydrological and water quality network projects
  • Establishment of permanent coordination mechanism

Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO)

Consolidated platform:

  • Expansion of water resources modules
  • Integration with new national systems
  • Continuous improvement of functionalities

Relevância no contexto global

Belém Declaration (2023)

The project is aligned with the commitments of the Amazon Summit:

  • Strengthening cooperation in monitoring systems
  • Harmonization of hydrometeorological alerts
  • Water management as a climate adaptation instrument

2030 Agenda

Direct contribution to:

  • SDG 6: Sustainable water and sanitation management
  • SDG 13: Climate action
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for implementing the objectives

Prospects for Lasting Impact

The continuity of Amazon Project actions, through RADA, the Amazon Basin Project, and ACTO’s mandate, represents a lasting legacy for improving water security and climate resilience for more than 33 million inhabitants of the Amazon Basin.

Regional Water Security

  • Early warning system for extreme events
  • Consolidated database for decision-making
  • Strengthened technical capacities in countries

Climate Adaptation

  • Continuous monitoring of hydrological variations
  • Standardized protocols for emergency response
  • Strengthened cooperation to face climate challenges