AGP Executive Report

Galápagos Whales: A nine-month survey found no blue whales in waters where they have historically been seen. Researchers suspect unusually warm El Niño conditions pushed the animals toward cooler, more food-rich waters farther south. Biodiversity Summit: Ecuador will host the UN’s COP18 nature talks in Quito in 2028. The latest summit agreed to speed up conservation action, but key funding decisions remain unresolved as countries fall behind on 2030 targets. Galápagos Flooding: Heavy rain on Santa Cruz killed one person, left two missing and affected about 2,000 families. Authorities suspect El Niño; the national park closed visitor sites on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon were reported to match or exceed protected areas on conservation indicators, underscoring their role in safeguarding biodiversity.

Galápagos Emergency: Heavy rain, possibly linked to El Niño, killed one person, left two missing and affected about 2,000 families on Santa Cruz. The national park closed six visitor sites across Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Global Nature Talks: COP17 ended with a plan to speed up biodiversity action, but key finance decisions were deferred and global targets remain off track. Nearly $2 billion was announced for nature; Ecuador will host COP18 in Quito in 2028. Mining and Water: An Indigenous fish-farmer from Las Naves told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that a copper-gold mine is causing deforestation and water contamination. The hearing examined alleged harms linked to Canadian mining companies across Latin America. Amazon Oil: Research on Quichua communities along Ecuador’s Lower Napo found some welcomed oil expansion while seeking clean drinking water, amid existing river pollution and gaps in public services.

Galápagos Flooding: Heavy rain on Santa Cruz killed one person, left two missing and affected about 2,000 families. Authorities closed visitor sites on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal; the downpour may be linked to El Niño. Biodiversity Summit: COP17 nations agreed to accelerate action to protect nature, but conservation funding remains far below what is needed. Ecuador will host the next summit in Quito in 2028, putting the country at the center of efforts to meet 2030 targets. Mining and Water: An Indigenous fish-farmer from Ecuador told a regional human rights hearing that a Canadian-linked copper and gold mine has caused deforestation and water contamination in his community. Amazon Communities: Research on Quichua communities along the Lower Napo finds some have negotiated with oil companies for clean drinking water, despite fears that expanded drilling will worsen pollution.

Biodiversity: COP17 ended with a call to speed up nature protection, but funding remains far below what’s needed. Ecuador will host the next UN biodiversity summit in Quito in 2028. Mining and Water: An Indigenous fish-farmer from Las Naves told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that a copper and gold mine is causing deforestation and water contamination. A study of Quichua communities along the Lower Napo River found some welcomed oil development in hopes of securing clean water, despite fears of further pollution. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon are achieving conservation indicators equal to or higher than those of protected areas. Galápagos: The Galápagos Life Fund has committed $180 million over 15 years for marine-reserve conservation and community projects.

Global Biodiversity: COP17 nations adopted agreements after marathon talks to revive the 2030 nature goals, but key targets remain off track and critics say the deal falls short on tackling the causes of nature loss. Ecuador’s Coasts: Illegal fishing continues in protected areas of the eastern Pacific, including waters patrolled by Ecuador; the Galápagos Life Fund has pledged $180 million over 15 years for marine reserves and community projects. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon have conservation indicators equal to or higher than those of protected areas. Wildlife and Drought: Ecuador is strengthening protections for river dolphins as extreme drought affects the Amazon.

Global Biodiversity: Nearly 200 countries adopted COP17 agreements aimed at getting nature-protection efforts back on track, but the final texts were not immediately available and progress toward 2030 targets remains off course. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon are achieving conservation results equal to or better than protected areas, highlighting their role in safeguarding forests. Galápagos Seas: The Galápagos Life Fund pledged $180 million over 15 years for marine reserves and community projects. Yet illegal fishing continues in protected Pacific waters, with limited surveillance leaving gaps. Wildlife and Drought: Ecuador is strengthening protections for Amazon river dolphins as extreme drought hits the region. Climate and Crops: Dragon-fruit producers are preparing for El Niño-related heavy rains with better field drainage and closer checks on harvest quality.

Global Nature Talks: UN biodiversity negotiations ended without agreement on key issues, including conservation funding, harmful subsidies and a global progress review. Environmental Crime: A new UN protocol is moving toward negotiations after Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and other Amazonian countries helped secure the decision; it targets crimes including illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and waste smuggling. Marine Protection: Illegal fishing persists in protected waters across the eastern Pacific, with at least nine operations reported by Ecuador, Colombia and Panama since 2024. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon show conservation results comparable to or better than protected areas, while the Galápagos Life Fund has pledged $180 million over 15 years for marine reserves and community projects. El Niño Risks: Forecasts point to heavy rain and flood risks along coastal Ecuador in 2027; growers are already watching how El Niño rains could affect dragon-fruit quality.

Marine Protection: Illegal fishing persists in protected areas of the eastern Pacific: authorities in Ecuador, Colombia and Panama reported at least nine enforcement operations from 2024 to 2026, while vast areas and limited surveillance make control difficult. El Niño Preparedness: An OAS forecast warns the 2026–27 event could bring unusually heavy rain to coastal Ecuador, increasing flood and landslide risks, while parts of the Amazon may face severe rainfall shortages. Galápagos Conservation: The Galápagos Life Fund has committed $180 million over 15 years to marine reserve conservation and community projects. Amazon Stewardship: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon have achieved conservation indicators equal to or higher than those of protected areas. Wildlife: Ecuador is strengthening protection for river dolphins as extreme drought hits the Amazon.

El Niño Preparedness: An OAS outlook warns a very strong El Niño could bring heavy rain, flooding and landslides to coastal Ecuador in 2027, while other parts of the region face drought. Wildlife Trafficking: Colombia seized 4,235 shark fins—possibly from more than 1,000 sharks—in a record bust; investigators say the shipment was headed to Ecuador before onward sale in Hong Kong. Water Security: The IDB has approved a $128.5 million package to strengthen Ecuador’s water security and climate resilience, as the country faces growing weather risks. Galápagos Conservation: The Galápagos Life Fund committed $180 million over 15 years for marine reserves and community projects. Amazon Protection: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon were reported to achieve conservation indicators equal to or better than protected areas. Banana Industry: Ecuador’s exporters face rising production costs and weather-related threats, including heavy rain that can damage crops and disrupt transport; industry leaders warn banana prices could rise in 2027.

Wildlife Trafficking: Colombia seized a record 4,235 shark fins near the Ecuadorian border; investigators suspect the shipment was bound for Ecuador before onward sale in Hong Kong. El Niño Alert: An OAS forecast warns the 2027 event could bring heavy rain, flooding and landslides to coastal Ecuador, urging governments to prepare now. Galápagos Funding: The Galápagos Life Fund pledged nearly $180 million over 15 years, split between marine conservation and community projects. Amazon Conservation: Indigenous territories in Ecuador’s Amazon are achieving conservation results comparable to or better than protected areas, while authorities are strengthening river dolphin protections amid extreme drought. Water Security: The IDB approved $128.5 million to improve water services and climate resilience in Ecuador. Biodiversity Summit: Ecuador is competing with Panama to host the 2028 UN biodiversity summit, with a decision expected this week.

Amazon Defenders: Waorani leader Nemonte Nenquimo says Indigenous communities must defend Amazon lands and cultures from oil extraction and a global system that prizes money over nature. Environmental Crime: A new map finds criminal groups active in 59% of surveyed Amazon municipalities in Ecuador, amid cross-border illicit operations that threaten communities and forests. El Niño Risks: An OAS outlook warns coastal Ecuador could face heavier-than-usual rain, flooding and landslides in 2027, underscoring the need to prepare. River Dolphins: Ecuador is strengthening protections for Amazon river dolphins as extreme drought threatens their habitat. Indigenous Conservation: Indigenous territories in the Ecuadorian Amazon show conservation results equal to or better than protected areas, according to a recent study. Water Security: The IDB approved a $128.5 million package for Ecuador to improve water security and climate resilience. Wildlife: Ecuador’s endangered toad is receiving legal advocacy as it fights for survival.

Amazon Crime: Criminal networks operate in 59% of surveyed Amazon municipalities in Ecuador, according to new regional mapping. Separately, governments voted to negotiate a UN protocol targeting environmental crimes such as illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking. Mining Accountability: Ecuadorian community representatives joined witnesses from five other countries at a regional hearing, describing alleged mining-related water contamination, threats to environmental defenders and harm to local livelihoods linked to Canadian companies. Indigenous Conservation: A study found Ecuadorian Indigenous territories had stronger vegetation-greening trends than state-protected or community-managed areas from 2010 to 2021, underscoring their role in forest conservation. Water and Wildlife: The IDB approved a $128.5 million package to strengthen Ecuador’s water security and climate resilience, while the country is stepping up river-dolphin protection amid extreme Amazon drought. A legal campaign is also seeking to help save the endangered Ecuadorian toad.

Climate & Crops: El Niño and other disruptions are raising concern over banana supplies and prices. Separately, U.S. imports of Ecuadorian mangoes are forecast to drop from 14 million boxes last season to 7.2 million amid weather-related production losses. Amazon Conservation: A study found that from 2010 to 2021, Indigenous territories in Ecuador had a greater share of areas with increasing vegetation greenness than state-protected or community-managed lands, highlighting their conservation role. Environmental Crime: Countries have won UN backing to negotiate a global protocol targeting cross-border crimes involving gold, timber and wildlife. Water & Wildlife: Ecuador is strengthening river dolphin protection amid extreme Amazon droughts. The IDB has also approved $128.5 million to support the country’s water security and climate resilience, while Ecuador and Peru pledged cooperation on El Niño preparedness.

Wildlife and Forests: A new study finds Indigenous territories in the Ecuadorian Amazon had more areas showing increased vegetation greenness from 2010 to 2021 than state-protected or community-managed lands. Separately, an Ecuador birding tour recorded 275 species in eight days, underscoring the country’s extraordinary diversity. Environmental Crime: Ecuador joined a group of nations that won UN backing to negotiate a global protocol against cross-border environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife, timber and mineral trafficking. Amazon Water: Ecuador is strengthening river dolphin protections as extreme drought hits the Amazon; an IDB package of $128.5 million is also aimed at water security and climate resilience. Galápagos: A $43 million effort backed by Leonardo DiCaprio aims to bring locally extinct species back to the islands.

Cross-Border Environmental Crime: Ecuador joined 10 countries backing UN negotiations on a protocol targeting wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, illicit mining and waste trafficking. The proposal passed, opening talks on a new international legal instrument. Green Solutions: Ten projects from six Latin American countries were honored at the Premios Verdes awards in Cuenca for work on water scarcity, biodiversity, pollution and clean energy. Amazon Wildlife: Ecuador trained park rangers, government technicians and Indigenous communities in Cuyabeno and Yasuní to respond to river dolphin strandings and deaths amid extreme drought. The country’s Amazon dolphin population is the basin’s smallest, making each loss significant. Water Security: The IDB approved a $128.48 million package to improve water services and climate resilience in Ecuador; results will depend on project delivery and long-term upkeep. Toad Habitat at Risk: A road expansion through the Angamarca River Valley threatens the Jambato harlequin toad’s only remaining habitat, putting a few hundred animals at risk.

Green Solutions: Ten projects from six Latin American countries, including Ecuador, won Premios Verdes awards in Cuenca for work addressing water scarcity, biodiversity loss, pollution and social inclusion. Amazon Wildlife: Ecuador has trained park rangers, government staff and Indigenous communities in Cuyabeno and Yasuní to respond to river dolphin strandings as drought worsens; the country’s Amazon dolphin population is the basin’s smallest. Water Security: A $128.48 million IDB package will support drinking water, sanitation and waste infrastructure, with about 283,000 people expected to benefit, including 166,000 in the Amazon. Environmental Crime: Ecuador is among the countries backing negotiations for a UN protocol against cross-border environmental crimes, with Indigenous Peoples and local communities recognized for their role in protecting ecosystems. Endangered Species: A road expansion through the Angamarca River Valley threatens the Jambato harlequin toad, one of the country’s rarest amphibians. Extreme Weather: Heavy rains have flooded coastal rivers, while El Niño develops and raises concerns about further floods and landslides.