Event Summary
Between 18 and 22 August 2025, Bogotá hosted the Fifth Summit of ACTO Presidents, where eight Amazonian countries renewed commitments on environmental, climate, security, and territorial governance. The resulting Bogotá Declaration builds on the 2023 Belém commitments and strengthens the regional roadmap toward COP30. Notable outcomes include the creation of the Amazonian Mechanism of Indigenous Peoples (MAPI), a formal co-governance body within ACTO, and the agreement to launch the Tropical Forest Fund (TFFF) at COP30 to support forest conservation.
However, a Civil Society Participation Mechanism was omitted—despite support from over 450 organizations. This limits meaningful engagement from civil society actors, which is especially important in countries like Colombia where environmental defenders face serious threats. The failure to declare the Amazon a fossil-fuel-free zone and the exclusion of Afro-descendant communities from decision-making processes further highlight gaps in inclusive governance. While the summit offered symbolic progress, it did not result in structural improvements for civil society participation.