Governments recognize urgency of avoiding the point of no return in the Amazon
The declaration signed yesterday by the governments of the eight Amazonian countries carries an important political message: we must act now to prevent the biome from reaching the point of no return. Science has already shown that we are dangerously close to reaching that point: if we continue to lose the region's forests and other ecosystems at the current rate, in less than 10 years the forest could enter a process of irreversible degradation, which would have severe economic and social consequences for all of Latin America and the world.
It is cause for celebration that the leaders of the countries of the region have listened to science and understood the call of society: the Amazon is in danger, and we do not have much time to act.
However, WWF regrets that the countries as a whole have not been able to reach a common point to end deforestation in the region. Brazil and Colombia have committed to stop deforestation by 2030, but this goal was not accepted by the other countries. The presidents decided to create an "Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation", but did not agree on a unified goal among the countries, which is imperative to avoid the point of no return.
In the text, the governments of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela agree to "work together to implement actions to eradicate the illegal exploitation of minerals and related crimes, including money laundering". This is a necessary and urgent measure.
Recent studies show that a large part of the Amazonian population, including indigenous peoples and traditional communities, but also those living in urban areas, are exposed to mercury contamination. It is therefore necessary to adopt transnational policies and mechanisms for prevention, regulation, control, warning, response and remediation of environmental crimes and other illicit activities, including illegal gold mining.
A highlight of the declaration is the agreement to strengthen ACTO (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) as a key institution for articulation and cooperation for sustainable development in the region. WWF is optimistic about this decision, as it will not be possible to move forward with the implementation agenda of this summit without a more agile and politically supported organization.
The text recognizes the right to territory of indigenous peoples and local communities, urging countries to move forward with the demarcation, titling and protection of their territories, which provide immense ecosystem services to society as a whole. They are the true guardians of the Amazon, and their involvement in the development of a sustainable economy is of fundamental importance for the region, with its cultural wealth and ancestral knowledge. There is still a lack of commitment from Amazonian governments on how to harmonize national legislation and improve the guarantee of territorial rights in countries where these have not yet been developed.
Also pending is the recognition of the important role of protected areas and the definition of common actions for their expansion and effective management. As well as the strengthening of other conservation measures - including indigenous territories - integral landscape approaches and ecosystemic and cultural connectivity, in order to guarantee the conservation of 80% of the Amazon.
Kurt Holle, Country Director of WWF Peru, says:
"The declaration signed yesterday by the governments of the eight Amazon countries brings an important message: we must act now to prevent the biome from reaching the point of no return. Science has already shown that we are dangerously close to reaching that point: if we continue to lose the region's forests and other ecosystems at the current rate, in less than 10 years the forest could enter a process of irreversible degradation. This would have severe climatic, economic and social consequences for all of Latin America and the world".
We recognize the importance of this Declaration as a political moment in favor of the Amazon. Despite not having reached concrete goals for some of the region's critical issues, the fact that presidents have come together to discuss how to avoid the point of no return is to be commemorated.
In the coming months, the strengthened ACTO should work on an action plan, with defined dates, goals and resources to implement the agreements of this summit. ACTO's efforts should be integrated into the commitments of the international agenda in the various multilateral processes in the future. Society's organizations, including WWF, will be ready to help in any way possible, because the challenge of avoiding the point of no return belongs to all of us and it is now. Only together will it be possible.
Mauricio Voivodic, executive director of WWF Brazil, says:
"It is positive that the heads of state have recognized the point of no return in the Amazon and the urgency of avoiding it. However, it is necessary to adopt concrete and solid measures that are capable of eliminating deforestation as quickly as possible. Combating and eliminating illegal gold and mercury contamination, which have become an environmental and public health problem in the region, requires equal attention and urgency. It is also imperative to increase protected areas and indigenous territories. Given that ACTO has been strengthened, may it assist in the rapid implementation of effective actions in the fight against deforestation, mercury and illegal mining, as well as in the expansion of protected areas and indigenous territories".
It is cause for celebration that the leaders of the countries of the region have listened to science and understood the call of society: the Amazon is in danger, and we do not have much time to act.
However, WWF regrets that the countries as a whole have not been able to reach a common point to end deforestation in the region. Brazil and Colombia have committed to stop deforestation by 2030, but this goal was not accepted by the other countries. The presidents decided to create an "Amazon Alliance to Combat Deforestation", but did not agree on a unified goal among the countries, which is imperative to avoid the point of no return.
In the text, the governments of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela agree to "work together to implement actions to eradicate the illegal exploitation of minerals and related crimes, including money laundering". This is a necessary and urgent measure.
Recent studies show that a large part of the Amazonian population, including indigenous peoples and traditional communities, but also those living in urban areas, are exposed to mercury contamination. It is therefore necessary to adopt transnational policies and mechanisms for prevention, regulation, control, warning, response and remediation of environmental crimes and other illicit activities, including illegal gold mining.
A highlight of the declaration is the agreement to strengthen ACTO (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) as a key institution for articulation and cooperation for sustainable development in the region. WWF is optimistic about this decision, as it will not be possible to move forward with the implementation agenda of this summit without a more agile and politically supported organization.
The text recognizes the right to territory of indigenous peoples and local communities, urging countries to move forward with the demarcation, titling and protection of their territories, which provide immense ecosystem services to society as a whole. They are the true guardians of the Amazon, and their involvement in the development of a sustainable economy is of fundamental importance for the region, with its cultural wealth and ancestral knowledge. There is still a lack of commitment from Amazonian governments on how to harmonize national legislation and improve the guarantee of territorial rights in countries where these have not yet been developed.
Also pending is the recognition of the important role of protected areas and the definition of common actions for their expansion and effective management. As well as the strengthening of other conservation measures - including indigenous territories - integral landscape approaches and ecosystemic and cultural connectivity, in order to guarantee the conservation of 80% of the Amazon.
Kurt Holle, Country Director of WWF Peru, says:
"The declaration signed yesterday by the governments of the eight Amazon countries brings an important message: we must act now to prevent the biome from reaching the point of no return. Science has already shown that we are dangerously close to reaching that point: if we continue to lose the region's forests and other ecosystems at the current rate, in less than 10 years the forest could enter a process of irreversible degradation. This would have severe climatic, economic and social consequences for all of Latin America and the world".
We recognize the importance of this Declaration as a political moment in favor of the Amazon. Despite not having reached concrete goals for some of the region's critical issues, the fact that presidents have come together to discuss how to avoid the point of no return is to be commemorated.
In the coming months, the strengthened ACTO should work on an action plan, with defined dates, goals and resources to implement the agreements of this summit. ACTO's efforts should be integrated into the commitments of the international agenda in the various multilateral processes in the future. Society's organizations, including WWF, will be ready to help in any way possible, because the challenge of avoiding the point of no return belongs to all of us and it is now. Only together will it be possible.
Mauricio Voivodic, executive director of WWF Brazil, says:
"It is positive that the heads of state have recognized the point of no return in the Amazon and the urgency of avoiding it. However, it is necessary to adopt concrete and solid measures that are capable of eliminating deforestation as quickly as possible. Combating and eliminating illegal gold and mercury contamination, which have become an environmental and public health problem in the region, requires equal attention and urgency. It is also imperative to increase protected areas and indigenous territories. Given that ACTO has been strengthened, may it assist in the rapid implementation of effective actions in the fight against deforestation, mercury and illegal mining, as well as in the expansion of protected areas and indigenous territories".