(Versión en español / Versão em português)

This year has highlighted our ability to adapt to new challenges and our resilience in the face of unexpected emergencies. While there have been innumerable losses to human lives and livelihoods and fear around an uncertain future, there is hope that treatments, care, and continuous solidarity will help stem the pandemic and its immediate effects. This year has been a wake-up call—human health is inextricably linked to ecosystem health. That means in our field of work we must continue to collaborate and coordinate to address the drivers that are damaging our relationship with nature. Rebuilding and repairing the damage in a sustainable way will take a concerted effort, and at the ASL we hope to contribute with these changes together with our partners and stakeholders.

We would like to thank you for your support in making the ASL community effective in preserving terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and in promoting the social and cultural fabric that underpins sustainable economies. The year 2020 was a time to slow down and postpone activities, but it also renewed our commitment and purpose to create opportunities for knowledge sharing and learning and to promote joint actions to conserve our beloved Amazon.

As we look to 2021, we know unique challenges will arise, but we stand ready to help. The ASL will kickstart the second phase by welcoming new projects into our community. As we end this year, we want to recap the activities that have been undertaken by the program. Please take a look at our Annual Conference report that summarizes the recent conference and read about our progress.

The ASL hosted its third annual conference virtually October 21–22, 2020. During the event, the program teams, agencies, and partners shared knowledge and experience on biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management in the Amazon. The conference focused on key themes such as the ASL’s contribution to reduce zoonotic diseases, sustainable value chains for the recovery of the Amazon, and the power of the Amazonian knowledge as the basis for a sustainable future.

There was discussion around the new reality brought about by COVID-19 and its effects on program implementation; there were also new ideas and strategies proposed that could contribute to the resilience of the Amazon ecosystem. The conference welcomed participation of new friends and project teams from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, and Suriname involved with the second phase of the program.

The ASL family would like to thank Adriana Moreira, ASL Program Coordinator from 2015–2020, for leading the ASL. Together with Claudia Sobrevila, they worked tirelessly to channel government commitment to make the ASL program a reality. Her commitment and passion helped build a solid foundation for the program. During her time at the World Bank, Adriana led a series of large projects in Latin America, focusing on Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico and promoted biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and rural development.

We cherish all the good times shared together and wish her the best of luck in her new position as Senior Biodiversity Specialist at the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Ana María González Velosa, Senior Environment Specialist at the World Bank, has taken over the role of ASL Program Coordinator. Ana Maria has worked for the ASL since 2018, more recently sharing the coordination, and brings with her 20+ years of experience in sustainable development and natural resource management and hopes to continue the strong dialogue with governments, communities, donors, and partners.

As part of the Ficamazonía El Vuelo del Agua film festival, a session to present the ASL was held on December 18, 2020. It allowed the team to share a general view of the program and its goals to promote landscape connectivity and regional collaboration. The session was enriched by the participation of Martha Cuba, Director of the Office of Cooperation and International Affairs within Peru's Ministry of Environment and Andrea Encalada, co-chair of the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), who shared their insights about the program and their current and potential role towards the region’s sustainable development.

See presentation here (video in Spanish)

All other past webinars can be found here.

We would like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the women and men—including indigenous leaders—who have lost their lives this year for multiple reasons including COVID-19 while dedicating their time to protect and preserve the Amazon. It is with profound admiration and respect that we recognize their contribution and passion to build a better world. We celebrate and honor the lives of heroes like Javier Francisco Parra Cubillos from Colombia (pictured right) who led by example and dedication to protect biodiversity and conserve the forest. Photo credit: Cormacarena 

The ASL's Community of Practice (CoP) aims to support the delivery of the national projects and program goals.

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Visit the ASL's website: www.worldbank.org/asl-program

Contact the ASL here: [email protected]