Preceding the Amazon Summit, the Amazon Cities Forum, a joint initiative of the Belém City Hall and the Secretariat of Institutional Relations of the Presidency, along with ICLEI, convened local authorities from more than 25 cities in the region on August 3rd and 4th.

The objective was to propose ways to expand the participation of local governments in the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), a pact that encompasses the eight Amazonian countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, and to consolidate the Forum within the institutional framework of ACTO as a space for representation and definition of territorial priorities.  

As a result, the cities signed the “Belém Charter,” a document that highlights the importance of cooperation among Amazonian cities. The charter emphasizes the unique challenges linked to the sustainable development of the territories, as well as the environmental, social, and economic peculiarities of the region. Furthermore, the charter calls for the active participation of Amazonian cities in various international forums where the agenda of sustainable urban development and climate action is discussed. Portuguese e Spanish 

The event was attended by ICLEI South America, represented by the Institutional Relations and Advocacy Manager, Braulio Diaz. Cities associated with ICLEI, including Manaus, Palmas, Barcarena, and Boa Vista in Brazil, Florencia in Colombia, as well as the Mayor of Maynas in Peru, joined Mayor Edmilson Rodrigues of the host city Belém, highlighting the confirmation of Belém as the venue for the ICLEI National Meeting in 2024 and COP30 in 2025.  

Important partners, such as the Sinchi Institute, the IDB, GIZ, GCoM, UN-Habitat, ABMS, and FNP, were also present.

In the following months, the Forum's action plan will be discussed, as well as upcoming events, notably the ICLEI regional meeting in Porto Velho in October and the Latin American Climate Week, LACWEEK, in Panama, as well as COP 28 in Dubai in December.  

For more information on the developments of these events, visit the site and also explore virtual mural Miro contains the results of the Forum discussions. 

Amazonian Dialogues and the anticipated Amazon Summit: Looking towards a sustainable future

The Amazon Dialogues provided a valuable space for multifaceted discussions about the Amazon, involving political leaders, scientists, and members of civil society. The conversations ranged from the importance of environmental conservation to the promotion of sustainable economic opportunities in the region. This preliminary event paved the way for the grand Amazon Summit, which brought together prominent leaders at the global level.

The Amazon Summit was the culmination of a series of events, bringing together leaders from around the world to share visions and concrete plans for the preservation of the Amazonian ecosystem. In light of global environmental challenges, the summit reflected on how the international community can collaborate for the benefit of the Amazon and the planet as a whole.