Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

Source: Down To Earth
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
3. Amazon Rainforest

Why in News?

Recently leaders from the eight countries across the Amazon, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela met during an ongoing Amazon Summit organised by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).

News in Brief

• The group failed to agree on the goal to protect the rainforest.
• Colombia had proposed that 80 per cent of the Amazon should be protected from deforestation and degradation by 2025 but did not find support from all the members.
• There was no pledge to halt oil drilling in the area; rather, the leaders concentrated on “initiating a dialogue” on the viability of mining and other fossil fuel-related operations.

Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework

• By 2030, member nations were required to safeguard at least 30% of land and water.
• During the discussions, it was highlighted how important nations with a wealth of biodiversity, such those in the Amazon area, are.

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

• The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an international organization comprising eight South American countries that share the Amazon rainforest.
• ACTO was founded in 1995 through the signing of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty.
• Also known as the Treaty of Cooperation Regarding the Protection of the Amazon Rainforest.
• This treaty outlines the organization’s objectives and principles, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, environmental conservation, and the equitable sharing of benefits among member countries.
• ACTO was created to ensure the responsible management of the Amazon ecosystem and the well-being of its inhabitants.

The eight-member countries of ACTO are:

1. Brazil
2. Colombia
3. Peru
4. Venezuela
5. Ecuador
6. Bolivia
7. Guyana
8. Suriname

Key objectives and areas of focus for ACTO

• Conservation and Sustainable Development: ACTO works to promote conservation efforts, sustainable land use, and responsible natural resource management in the Amazon region. It emphasizes the need to balance economic development with the protection of the rainforest’s biodiversity.
• Environmental Protection: The organization aims to combat deforestation, illegal logging, and other activities that contribute to environmental degradation. It also seeks to address pollution, habitat loss, and other threats to the Amazon ecosystem.
• Research and Information Sharing: ACTO facilitates the exchange of scientific research, data, and information related to the Amazon’s ecology, climate, and biodiversity. This helps member countries make informed decisions for sustainable development.
• Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: ACTO recognizes the rights and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities living in the Amazon region. It promotes their involvement in decision-making processes that affect their territories and resources.
• Transboundary Cooperation: The organization fosters collaboration among member countries to address cross-border challenges, such as managing shared river basins, protecting migratory species, and responding to natural disasters.
• Promotion of International Cooperation: ACTO seeks partnerships with international organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expertise, and funding for initiatives that support its goals.

Amazon Rainforest

Geographical Extent

• The Amazon rainforest covers approximately 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles), making it the largest tropical rainforest in the world.

  

• It stretches across nine countries in South America: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana (an overseas territory of France).
• River Basin
  • The Amazon Basin is one of the world’s largest drainage basins, covering an area of around 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles).
  • The Amazon River and its tributaries flow through this vast basin, forming an intricate network of waterways.
• Amazon River
  • The Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world, after the Nile.
  • It flows for approximately 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) from its source in the Andes Mountains of Peru to its mouth on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Brazil.
  • The river and its tributaries play a critical role in transporting water, sediment, and nutrients through the region.
• Climate and Rainfall
  • The Amazon has a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity.
  • It experiences heavy rainfall throughout the year, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
  • The region’s climate is influenced by the interplay of air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and the Andes Mountains.

Biodiversity

• Flora
  • The Amazon is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees belonging to around 16,000 species.
  • It contains a vast array of plant species, including towering canopy trees, shrubs, epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants), and a diverse range of vegetation types.
• Fauna
  • The rainforest supports an incredible diversity of animal species, including jaguars, tapirs, sloths, capybaras, various monkey species, and a multitude of bird, insect, and fish species.
  • Many of these species are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.

Ecological Importance

• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, hosting a staggering array of plant, animal, and microbial species, many of which are unique and endemic. The rainforest’s biodiversity contributes to global genetic diversity and holds immense potential for scientific research and the development of new medicines.
• Carbon Sink: The Amazon acts as a substantial carbon sink, sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This process plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by offsetting carbon emissions.
• Climate Regulation: The rainforest generates significant amounts of moisture through transpiration, contributing to regional and global climate patterns. The “flying rivers” of moisture released by the Amazon affect weather systems, rainfall, and temperature across South America and beyond.
• Ecosystem Services: The Amazon provides a range of ecosystem services, including pollination, water purification, and soil fertility, which support agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Challenges

• Deforestation and Land Conversion: Deforestation, driven primarily by logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development, poses a severe threat to the Amazon. Loss of habitat contributes to biodiversity decline, disrupts ecosystems, and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
• Illegal Logging and Mining: Unregulated activities such as illegal logging and mining exacerbate deforestation, leading to habitat destruction, pollution, and degradation of indigenous territories.
• Climate Change: The Amazon’s ability to sequester carbon is compromised by climate change itself. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can alter the forest’s structure and make it more susceptible to fires and disease outbreaks.

Potential Solutions

• Conservation and Protected Areas: Expanding and strengthening protected areas and indigenous territories can help safeguard the Amazon’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• Sustainable Land Use: Promoting sustainable agroforestry practices and responsible logging can balance economic development with environmental protection.
• International Cooperation: Collaborative efforts involving governments, NGOs, and international organizations are essential to address transboundary challenges, share knowledge, and mobilize resources.
• Indigenous Rights: Recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples is crucial for both environmental and social sustainability. Indigenous communities often play a vital role in forest conservation.
• Raising Awareness: Public awareness campaigns can promote informed consumer choices, discourage deforestation-linked products, and build support for conservation efforts.

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