Amazon Countries Summit starts in Colombia ahead of COP30

The Amazon Countries Summit opens today in Bogota, Colombia, bringing together representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, alongside indigenous leaders, local communities, and civil society organisations. 

According to Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS, the aim is to develop a unified regional position ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), set to take place in Brazil this November.

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry, Rosa Villavicencio, stated that the summit intends to move “from words to action” by establishing a joint declaration that sets out regional agreements and shared priorities. She emphasised that these priorities will guide concrete measures to address the Amazon’s pressing environmental, social, security, and economic challenges. 

The summit continues the momentum of the 2023 Belem Declaration, which outlined 113 targets for Amazon preservation and reducing inequality. It has since been bolstered by follow-up declarations from Paramaribo and Brasília. 

Photo: Jhampier Giron / iStock