The Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (known by the Spanish acronym MAATE) has issued Ministerial Agreement No. MAATE-MAATE-2024-0069-A, adopting the management model for the Amazon Biocorridor Program (known by the Spanish acronym BCA). This is an initiative aimed at the conservation and sustainable development of natural and semi-natural environments of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Agreement was published in Official Gazette Supplement No. 66 on June 24, 2025.
The BCA management model is within the context of Executive Decree No. 859 of September 2023, which ordered the National Environmental Authority to design and implement a governance scheme for this region. The document establishes strategic guidelines, guiding principles, goals up to 2035 and financial sustainability mechanisms, with the aim of ensuring the conservation of land and water ecosystems along with the wellbeing of local communities.
The strategic elements of the model include area-based conservation, restoration of ecosystems and the sustainable management of traditional systems. It is expected to incorporate 1.8 million hectares of new conservation areas, the effective management of 4.6 million hectares under existing mechanisms, and the conservation of 18,000 linear kilometers of rivers. In addition, it is estimated that the model will contribute 0.13 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent in retained or sequestered biomass.
The model provides for the creation of an Executive Unit led by the Undersecretariat for Natural Heritage, with the participation of regional offices of MAATE and inter-institutional coordination with other ministries, decentralized autonomous governments, indigenous organizations, international cooperation and the private sector. The model also establishes a social and environmental safeguard framework, and a monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy.
Regarding financial sustainability, the agreement provides for the implementation of mechanisms such as green bonds, bonds tied to sustainability, debt-for-nature swaps and other financial instruments aligned with international standards. The MAATE will coordinate with the Ministry of the Economy and Finance and other entities to guarantee the long-term viability of the program.
The Amazon Biocorridor covers the provinces of Sucumbíos, Orellana, Napo, Pastaza, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe, and is connected with instruments like the 2024-2025 New Ecuador Development Plan, the National Climate Change Strategy, the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) Strategic Plan and the REDD+ Action Plan.
The agreement came into effect on November 4, 2024, and the Undersecretariat for Natural Heritage will be responsible for its implementation. The Undersecretariat must present a work plan with conservation priorities for the BCA within 30 days of publication.
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