AGP Executive Report

Environmental Crime: UN member states voted to begin negotiations on a treaty targeting cross-border environmental crimes, including illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and timber smuggling. Colombia helped promote the initiative; the vote was 83 in favor, 12 against and 27 abstentions. Community Solutions: Three Colombian projects were among ten Latin American winners of the Premios Verdes, recognizing work on environmental and social challenges. BIO CO’s regenerative farming model uses 95% of its waste to make agricultural inputs and provides 60 formal jobs. Amazon Protection: Colombia received US$22.4 million in international support to protect the Amazon, as reports warn that mining and deforestation are depriving communities of water. Biodiversity: Researchers identified a new species after studying giant water lilies in Colombia, following clues from social media photos.

Green Solutions: Colombia’s BIO CO was among ten Latin American winners of Premios Verdes 2026. Its regenerative farming model uses 39 species, turns 95% of waste into farm inputs and provides 60 formal jobs. Biodiversity: Photos shared online led researchers and Indigenous community members to Inírida, where they documented Victoria colombiana, a newly described giant water lily from the upper Orinoco. Amazon Protection: Colombia received $22.4 million in international support to protect the Amazon, while mining and deforestation are reshaping rivers and threatening community water supplies. Environmental Crime: Indigenous representatives secured a UN agreement to negotiate a global protocol against environmental crime networks, a push with major stakes for the Amazon and its communities.

New Species: Researchers formally identified Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily in the Inírida River, after a social media photo sparked an expedition involving local Indigenous residents. Environmental Crime: Colombia and other countries backed UN negotiations on a protocol targeting illegal mining, wildlife and timber trafficking, and waste crimes; the agreement recognizes Indigenous communities’ role in protecting ecosystems. Forest Loss: Colombia’s Amazon parks lost 8,896 hectares of forest in 2025, with cattle expansion blamed for the damage. Energy Transition: Latin American governments agreed to promote electrification and energy storage, but environmental groups say the plan lacks a clear climate strategy or path away from fossil fuels. Renewables and Rights: A cross-border study including Colombian projects warns that large clean-energy developments can sideline local communities and harm livelihoods despite sustainability claims.

New Species, Narrow Refuge: A giant water lily documented in Colombia’s Inírida River may exist only in the Estrella Fluvial de Inírida wetland, with an estimated 30 to 50 wild plants. Its future depends on protecting the habitat and working with Indigenous communities who helped researchers find it. Environmental Crime: Colombia joined 10 other countries in backing UN negotiations for a protocol against cross-border crimes such as illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and illegal logging. The resolution recognizes Indigenous Peoples and local communities as key to protecting ecosystems. Amazon Waters: A study found nearly 33,000 hectares of natural water lost across four Amazonian river basins in 25 years, with the greatest loss in Colombia’s Caquetá basin. Mining created artificial water pools, while ranching was linked to disappearing water. Food and Forests: Agricultural production drove Amazon deforestation, and three Colombian parks lost 8,896 hectares of forest in 2025, with cattle ranching cited as a factor. Renewables and Rights: Research covering projects in Colombia and seven other countries found that renewable energy developments can sideline local communities and overlook social and environmental harms.

Environmental Crime: Colombia joined 10 other countries in backing a proposed UN protocol against cross-border crimes such as illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking. A UN resolution has now opened negotiations, recognizing Indigenous peoples’ role in protecting ecosystems. Amazon Waters: A study found nearly 33,000 hectares of natural water lost across four Amazon-region river basins in 25 years, with the greatest loss in Colombia’s Caquetá basin. Mining and ranching are reshaping waterways, including on Indigenous territories. Renewables and Rights: Research covering projects in Colombia and seven other countries says renewable-energy companies’ sustainability claims can mask community exclusion and harms to livelihoods. Species at Risk: Victoria colombiana, a giant waterlily with an estimated 30–50 wild plants, may survive only in Guainía’s Estrella Fluvial de Inírida wetland; Indigenous guides and a Bogotá seed program are central to its future. Climate and Politics: Colombia’s Santa Marta fossil-fuel transition conference brought together 57 countries, but a regional shift toward leaders favoring resource extraction has raised concern for climate and biodiversity action. A severe El Niño is also expected to bring drier conditions to Colombia and threaten farming.

Amazon Water Loss: An analysis of four Amazon river basins found nearly 33,000 hectares of natural water lost over 25 years. Colombia’s Caquetá basin saw the greatest decline, while mining created artificial water bodies—four in five hectares of them on Indigenous lands. El Niño Risk: A potentially record-strength El Niño is expected to bring dry conditions to Colombia and threaten crops. Latin American researchers, governments and businesses are exploring whether agricultural technology can help farmers adapt. Biodiversity: Colombia and Armenia launched a coalition at COP17 to recover endangered species. Separately, GPS data from 99 jaguars reveal lost corridors and possible new routes across the Americas. Environmental Accountability: Eight Latin American countries are promoting a UN protocol to combat environmental crimes. An upcoming human-rights hearing will also hear Colombian testimony on mining-linked water contamination, threats to defenders and harm to livelihoods. Amazon Support: Colombia has received US$22.4 million in international funding to protect the Amazon.

Environmental Crime: Colombia joined seven Latin American countries in proposing a UN protocol to tackle cross-border environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife, timber and gold trade. The EU supports talks, while the U.S. and others resist. Biodiversity: At COP17 in Yerevan, governments face pressure to accelerate action as 2030 nature targets fall behind. Colombia and Armenia also launched a coalition to help recover endangered species. Amazon: A new analysis says 15% of the Amazon’s original forest has been lost, with flying-river routes to the southwest especially affected; Colombia has received US$22.4 million in international support for Amazon protection. Wildlife Corridors: GPS tracking of 99 jaguars mapped routes across the Americas, identifying corridors that may be lost and potential connections conservationists had overlooked.

Environmental Crime: Colombia joined 10 countries proposing a UN protocol to strengthen cross-border investigations and prosecution of crimes such as illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and waste dumping. Water and Carbon: Research on Colombia’s Altillanura highlights morichales—palm wetlands that store carbon and regulate freshwater—now under pressure from development and weak protections. Wildlife: Researchers report the first detection of circovirus in Colombian wildlife, including Andean bears, jaguars and parrots; it is not known to threaten people, but monitoring is needed, especially for rescued animals. Amazon: A new assessment says 15% of the basin’s original primary forest has been lost, with dry-season moisture routes especially affected; Colombia has also received US$22.4 million in international support for Amazon protection. Conservation: Colombia and Armenia launched a coalition to help recover endangered species at the UN biodiversity summit.

Wildlife Watch: Researchers have detected dog- and pigeon-associated circoviruses for the first time in Colombian wildlife, including Andean bears, jaguars and parrots. The viruses are not known to threaten people, but may affect animals’ immune systems; experts call for monitoring, especially among rescued wildlife. Energy Justice: An international study of renewable-energy projects, including in Colombia, warns that corporate sustainability claims can mask harm to community rights and livelihoods. Nature Finance: At COP17, Colombia and Armenia launched a coalition to recover endangered species. Colombia also received US$22.4 million in international support for Amazon protection. Green Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won US$10,000 to test whether oil-palm waste can help remove contaminants from water. Clean Energy and Waste: A new Cali–Valle del Cauca study assesses solar power, cogeneration and facilities to recover construction debris and recycle plastics.

Disaster Readiness: Colombia’s nationwide emergency drill tested responses in 1,046 municipalities after August’s deadly earthquake; Bogotá’s exercise also factored in extreme heat, forest fires and poor air quality. Amazon Protection: Germany, the UK and Norway pledged US$22.4 million for a five-year phase of Colombia’s Amazon program, supporting forest protection and sustainable production from 2027. Biodiversity: Colombia and Armenia launched a global alliance to recover endangered species at COP17, where warnings say 2030 targets are slipping. The Cali Fund, created at COP16 in Colombia, has raised just $7,085 so far. Climate and Farming: Heat and shifting rainfall drove a 60–70% drop in avocado production during Colombia’s Traviesa season; the full-year export forecast was cut 13.5%. Wildlife Corridors: A GPS-based study of 99 jaguars maps potential routes across the species’ range from Mexico to Argentina, helping guide efforts to keep populations connected.

Amazon Protection: Colombia secured US$22.4 million from Germany, the UK and Norway for a five-year programme to curb Amazon deforestation and support Indigenous and farming communities; work is due to begin in 2027. Climate and Agriculture: Heat and shifting rainfall cut Colombia’s avocado output during the Traviesa season by 60–70%, prompting a 13.5% reduction in the annual export forecast. Wildlife Corridors: GPS data from 99 jaguars mapped potential routes across the species’ range, including links through Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina, and flagged corridors that may already be lost. Biodiversity: Colombia and Armenia launched a 16-country coalition to help endangered species recover in the wild, as a separate UN biodiversity fund created in Cali has attracted just $7,085. Mining Safety: A collapse at an illegal gold mine in Nariño killed 14 people and injured seven, renewing concern over unsafe, unregulated operations.

Mining Safety and Pollution: A collapse at an illegal gold mine in Nariño killed 14 people and injured seven. The disaster highlights the human and environmental risks of unregulated mining; Colombia’s UN human rights office called for prevention and accountability. Species Recovery: Colombia and Armenia launched the CARES coalition at COP17, bringing 16 governments together to help endangered species recover in the wild—not just avoid extinction. Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but seven million hectares were still lost, leaving the world 70% off track to meet its 2030 goal. Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first in a global assessment of health protections in national climate plans, scoring 29 of 32 points. Biodiversity Funding: The Cali Fund, created at COP16 to support nature protection, has received just $7,085 so far, underscoring the gap between conservation promises and funding.

Mining Disaster: A gold mine collapse in Nariño has killed 14 people and injured seven. The UN urged authorities to investigate illegal mining, strengthen prevention and address risks to workers, the environment and local communities. Species Recovery: Colombia and Armenia launched a coalition to help recover endangered species, while nine philanthropic groups pledged more than $500 million over five years for conservation. Biodiversity Finance: The Cali Fund, created at COP16 to raise money from companies benefiting from genetic data drawn from nature, has collected just $7,085 so far—far short of its hoped-for scale—as COP17 reviews global nature targets. Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first in a global scorecard for integrating health into its climate plan, scoring 29 out of 32 and joining four other countries with targets to cut black carbon. Climate Risks to Farming: Flooding and wind damage have affected thousands of acres of Colombian banana plantations, with growers warning productivity could fall nearly 20% as El Niño threatens further disruption.

Species Recovery: Colombia and Armenia launched the CARES coalition at COP17 to help recover endangered species, with 16 countries joining and nine philanthropic groups aligning more than $500 million over five years. Biodiversity in Focus: COP17 opened with a global review showing fewer than half of countries are on track to meet their nature targets, raising pressure to turn promises into action before 2030. Banana Sector Under Stress: Flooding and windstorms have damaged Colombian plantations, and growers warn productivity could fall nearly 20%. A strengthening El Niño could bring further water stress. Amazon Protection: Indigenous leaders from Colombia and other Amazon countries are urging governments to tackle criminal networks driving illegal mining, logging and drug trafficking, which threaten communities and forests. Climate Risks at Home: Reports highlight intensifying heat in Medellín and coastal erosion affecting communities along Colombia’s Pacific and Caribbean shores.

Amazon Crime: Indigenous leaders from Colombia and neighboring countries are taking their call to Vienna, urging the UN to target the financial networks behind illegal mining, logging and drug trafficking. They report threats to communities and mercury pollution in rivers. Biodiversity: At COP17 in Yerevan, Colombia co-launched a coalition to help recover endangered species as countries take stock of progress on 2030 nature targets. Whale Watching: In La Barra, Buenaventura, tourism brings income but growing boat traffic is testing how visitors and humpback whales can share coastal waters. Residents are shaping practical rules rooted in longstanding local respect for the animals. Urban Heat: Medellín’s tree-lined green corridors have helped cool the city, but rising temperatures are testing the limits of its long-running planting effort. El Niño Readiness: A new roadmap aims to help Colombia’s 32 capital cities prepare for El Niño risks.

Amazon at Risk: Indigenous leaders from Colombia and neighboring Amazon nations are urging governments at a UN meeting in Vienna to target the financial networks behind illegal mining, logging and drug trafficking. They also want stronger land rights and support for community-led protection, as leaders face threats and violence. Coastal Erosion: Colombia’s Ombudsman warns that rising seas, river erosion and flooding are damaging homes, roads and water systems in Pacific and Caribbean communities, disrupting fishing and access to essential services. Urban Heat: Medellín’s tree-lined green corridors have helped cool the city, but rising temperatures are testing the limits of its long-running planting program. Wildlife Tourism: In Buenaventura, whale-watching communities are setting practical rules for boat traffic to protect humpbacks while sustaining local livelihoods. Species Recovery: Colombia and Armenia have launched the CARES coalition to restore threatened species, alongside a separate $500 million philanthropic commitment for recovery efforts.