AGP Executive Report

El Niño Watch for Ecuador’s Galápagos: Ecuadorian scientists warn this season’s El Niño could be stronger than normal, raising risks for Galápagos wildlife and native forests as ocean warming intensifies. Amazon Health Cooperation: Guyana took over the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Amazon health commission (CESAM) from Ecuador, setting up workstreams that include Environment and Gender Equity alongside disease priorities. Food Security Pressure: The UN World Food Programme warns a possible “super El Niño” could threaten food security across Latin America, with drought and crop damage risks extending to Ecuador. Forest Governance in Ecuador’s Amazon: A new study finds Indigenous territories without formal conservation contracts can maintain forest conditions comparable to protected areas, with strong long-term vegetation greenness—highlighting the value of local stewardship. River Pollution from Illegal Gold Mining: In Ecuador’s Napo province, the Capirona community says mercury-linked gold mining has poisoned rivers, harming fish, daily life, and children’s ability to swim—fueling resistance through music.

El Niño Food Shock for Ecuador: The UN World Food Programme warns a “super El Niño” could hit Latin America hard, with up to 16 million people facing food insecurity as drought and water shortages damage crops; Ecuador is among the countries forecast to see heavier-than-usual rainfall, raising flood and production risks. Amazon Health & Environment Coordination: Guyana took over the temporary presidency of the Amazon health commission (CESAM), with Ecuador thanked for its work and a focus on operationalizing sub-commissions, including Environment and Gender Equity, plus building shared regional health information. Forest Protection in Ecuador’s Amazon: A new study finds Indigenous territories without formal conservation contracts can maintain forest conditions as well as protected areas, with strong long-term greenness trends—highlighting the value of Indigenous stewardship. Rivers Under Pressure from Gold Mining: In Ecuador’s Napo province, the Capirona Kichwa community is using music to denounce mercury-linked illegal gold mining that has poisoned rivers and disrupted daily life. Shrimp Sector Biosecurity: Ecuador-linked shrimp hatchery reporting emphasizes biosecurity as the make-or-break factor for healthy post-larvae, with disease outbreaks like EMS and AHPND driving major production downtime. Mining & Tax Tensions: Lundin Gold says Ecuador’s SRI issued a proposed $154M sovereign adjustment assessment for 2023 tied to its Fruta del Norte operation, arguing it conflicts with the exploitation agreement; the company says operations continue normally.

Amazon River pollution & Indigenous resistance: In Ecuador’s Napo province, the Kichwa community of Capirona is using music to denounce mercury-tainted rivers from upstream gold mining, warning that poisoned waterways are breaking daily life and livelihoods. Forest governance in the Ecuadorian Amazon: A new study finds Indigenous territories without formal conservation contracts can maintain forest conditions as well as protected areas, with strong long-term greenness trends—challenging the idea that only official protection delivers resilience. El Niño pressure on Ecuador’s power system: Colombia cut electricity transfers to Ecuador by more than 50% as the Mazar reservoir drops, triggering conservation measures and raising stakes for drought planning. Biodiversity update: Scientists identified the Milpe Robber Frog in Ecuador’s Chocó region after it sat misclassified in collections for nearly a century, underscoring how much wildlife still hides in plain sight. Wildlife trade warning: Reports from a major Bangkok market describe rising sales of Amazon wildlife as trafficked animals are moved and sold as pets. El Niño food insecurity risk: The UN World Food Programme warns up to 16 million people across Latin America could face food insecurity as drought hits crops and water supplies.

El Niño Impacts Ecuador’s Coast: High waves tied to strengthening El Niño have battered Ecuador’s Pacific beaches and infrastructure, with Playa Delfín in Guayas reported “totally destroyed” and seawalls, houses, and tourist structures damaged across Guayas, Santa Elena, and Manabí. Biodiversity Update: Ecuadorian and Colombian researchers formally described a “new” frog species (Pristimantis milpe / Milpe Robber Frog) after more than a century of misclassification, highlighting the Chocó forests as a key conservation hotspot. Marine Life Under Pressure: A new report warns that marine heat waves are already widespread, with ocean heat linked to ecosystem stress and deadly impacts on wildlife. Pollution Research from Ecuador: Scientists developed a hybrid adsorbent using cocoa pod husks to capture loratadine from contaminated water, pointing to greener ways to tackle pharmaceutical pollution. Food Systems & Climate Resilience: India’s envoy highlighted climate-resilient agriculture and tech for food security, including for unpredictable conditions—relevant as Ecuador prepares for El Niño-driven shocks.

El Niño Coastal Damage in Ecuador: Waves up to 2 meters are battering Ecuador’s Pacific coast, eroding beaches and destroying homes and tourist infrastructure in Guayas, Santa Elena, and Manabí, with Playa Delfín reported “totally destroyed” and the Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute warning that higher sea levels and rising water temperatures are making impacts worse. Biodiversity Update (Ecuador/Chocó): Ecuadorian scientists formally described Pristimantis milpe after a century of mistaken identity, using museum specimens and field checks; the frog is widespread across Chocó forests in western Ecuador and southern Colombia. Deforestation-Free Coffee Scaling in Ecuador: Nearly 400 farmers in southern Ecuador are expanding a deforestation-free coffee model that mixes forest conservation with traceability and geospatial monitoring ahead of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Wildlife Crime in Ecuador: Police in Quito intercepted smugglers trying to move 32 Galápagos marine iguanas out of Ecuador, highlighting ongoing pressure on endangered species. Regional Climate Context: UN warnings say the world is entering a “danger zone” as El Niño is forecast to be among the strongest in decades, with marine heat waves already stressing ocean life.

El Niño Impacts Ecuador’s Coast: Waves up to 2 meters are battering Ecuador’s Pacific beaches, with Playa Delfín in Guayas reported “totally destroyed” and damage spreading across Guayas, Santa Elena and Manabí as sea levels run about 40 cm above normal. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: Ecuador’s police arrested a Russian woman at Quito airport for allegedly smuggling 32 Galápagos marine iguanas to Iceland; the animals were found dehydrated and are now in a conservation center. Biodiversity Discovery: PUCE scientists formally described Pristimantis milpe, a frog long misidentified for over a century, confirming a wide range across Ecuador’s Chocó forests. Deforestation-Free Coffee Scaling: In Zamora Chinchipe, nearly 400 farmers are expanding Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model ahead of the EU Deforestation Regulation, using traceability and geospatial monitoring. Aquaculture Exports: Ecuador’s shrimp industry keeps setting records, with Q2 2026 exports nearing 450,000 metric tons and July up sharply, potentially linked to early El Niño conditions. Marine Heat Warning: A global report flags marine heat waves as widespread, with the tropical Pacific already running exceptionally hot under strengthening El Niño conditions.

El Niño Preparedness in Ecuador: Azuay Province has issued a “red alert” for El Niño impacts as forecasts point to very strong conditions ahead, while Ecuador’s wider public mood remains grim amid rising concern over weather-driven risks. Extreme Heat and Climate Stress: Spain’s Vuelta a España shortened Stage 15 by about 80 km after extreme heat forecasts, with an orange alert in Córdoba—another sign how hotter conditions are disrupting outdoor life. Deforestation-Free Coffee in Ecuador: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model is moving beyond the pilot stage, but farmers face production and scaling challenges as the EU Deforestation Regulation approaches. Biodiversity Watch: Ecuador’s scientists formally described a “new” frog species, Pristimantis milpe, after resolving a century-old misidentification using historical specimens. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: Police arrested a Russian woman at Quito airport for allegedly smuggling 32 Galápagos marine iguanas out of Ecuador, with the animals sent to a conservation center for care. Amazon Mining Resistance: In Napo, the Kichwa community of Capirona released a song and video denouncing illegal gold mining on the Puní River, saying mercury contamination is already harming water and livelihoods.

Biodiversity & Research: Ecuadorian scientists at PUCE formally described Pristimantis milpe, a frog long misidentified for over a century, using museum specimens from London; the species is widespread across Ecuador’s Chocó forests and southern Colombia. Wildlife Protection: Ecuador’s police arrested a Russian woman at Quito airport for allegedly smuggling 32 Galápagos marine iguanas to Iceland; veterinarians transferred the animals to a conservation center. Climate Risk (El Niño): Azuay Province issued a “red alert” for El Niño impacts as Pacific warming intensifies, while global reporting warns the phenomenon is already disrupting weather and could peak at record strength. Deforestation-Free Trade: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee initiative has moved beyond pilot stage, with nearly 400 farmers preparing for EU rules that bar deforestation-linked imports. Amazon Mining Resistance: In Napo, the Kichwa community of Capirona released a song and video denouncing illegal gold mining on the Puní River, citing mercury contamination of rivers. Marine Conservation (Galápagos): A rare blue octopus returned to the Galápagos and will be preserved at the Charles Darwin Research Station as an endemic species.

El Niño Alert in Ecuador: Azuay Province has issued a “red alert” as El Niño intensifies, warning of potentially historic impacts and urging full preparedness. Deforestation-Free Coffee: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model is moving beyond the pilot stage, with nearly 400 farmers in the Amazon-linked initiative preparing for EU rules that will block deforestation-linked imports. Wildlife Crime in the Galápagos: Ecuadorian police arrested a Russian woman at Quito’s airport for allegedly smuggling 32 marine iguanas to Iceland; veterinarians transferred the animals to a conservation center. Amazon Resistance to Illegal Mining: In Napo, the Kichwa community of Capirona released a song and video denouncing illegal gold mining on the Puní River, saying mercury has already contaminated local waters. Shrimp Exports Surge: Ecuador’s shrimp exports keep breaking records, with Q2 2026 exports near 450,000 metric tons and July up sharply, even as El Niño conditions loom.

El Niño Alert: Ecuador has raised its El Niño alert to red as Pacific warming intensifies, with the UN and WMO warning the “danger zone” could bring extreme heat plus floods and droughts through early 2027. Wildlife Crime: Police in Quito arrested a Russian woman trying to smuggle 32 Galápagos marine iguanas to Iceland; the animals were found in containers and sent to a conservation center as authorities pursue wildlife trafficking charges. Amazon Mining Resistance: In Napo, the Kichwa community of Capirona released a song and video backing its resistance to illegal gold mining on the Puní River, saying mercury is already contaminating waters used for drinking and food. Galápagos Biodiversity: A rare blue octopus has returned to the Galápagos and will be preserved at the Charles Darwin Research Station after being newly identified as an endemic species. Deforestation-Free Coffee: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model in the Amazon is moving beyond pilot stage, with traceability and forest conservation tied to EU rules. Coastal Economy: Ecuador’s shrimp exports kept breaking records in 2026, while banana exports also rose 8.3% in 2026, showing how climate shocks are already reshaping production and timing.

Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Ecuador’s National Police arrested a Russian woman at Quito’s airport for allegedly smuggling 32 Galápagos marine iguanas in plastic containers bound for Iceland; veterinarians transferred the animals to a conservation center, and prosecutors could seek up to three years in prison. El Niño Alarm: The UN and the World Meteorological Organization warn El Niño is “supersized,” with near-100% odds it persists through February 2027, raising risks of heat, floods, drought, and extreme weather that could hit Ecuador and the region harder as conditions intensify. Conservation on the Ground: In Ecuador’s Amazon, Indigenous “Turtle Women” from the Siekopai community patrol the Aguarico River, protect charapa turtle nests, and helped hatch and release 208 young turtles during the 2025–26 season. Agri-Exports Watch: Ecuador’s banana exports rose 8.32% in Jan–Jul 2026 to 247.09 million boxes, with the EU and Russia leading demand.

El Niño Alert for Ecuador: The UN and the World Meteorological Organization say El Niño is already disrupting weather and is likely to persist through February 2027, with risks of heatwaves, floods, and drought rising as the event intensifies. Amazon Wildlife Protection: In Ecuador’s Amazon, Indigenous Siekopai “Turtle Women” patrol the Aguarico River, protect charapa turtle nests, and help hatch and release young turtles amid threats like flooding, hunting, and pollution. Deforestation-Free Coffee Scales Up: Ecuador’s deforestation-free coffee model is moving beyond pilot stage, with hundreds of producers using traceability and monitoring to meet EU deforestation rules. River Dolphins Under Pressure: New research flags critically endangered pink and gray river dolphins in Ecuador’s Amazon, with numbers low and threats potentially severe. Banana Exports Climb: Ecuador’s banana exports rose 8.3% in early 2026, led by demand from the EU and Russia. Illegal Wildlife Seizure in Quito: Authorities intercepted 32 Galápagos marine iguanas at the airport and arrested a Russian woman, highlighting ongoing trafficking risks.

El Niño Alert for Ecuador: The UN and WMO say a “super El Niño” could be the strongest in decades, with Pacific sea temperatures running far above average and impacts expected to last into early 2027—raising risks of drought, flooding, wildfires, and storms across vulnerable regions, including Ecuador’s Pacific-facing coast. River Turtle Conservation in Ecuador’s Amazon: Seven Siekopai “Turtle Women” are patrolling the Aguarico River to protect charapa turtle nests, collecting eggs threatened by flooding, predators, and pollution, and releasing hatchlings back to the river—helping a vulnerable species while also tackling riverbank trash and boat-related erosion. Ecuador Banana Exports: Ecuador exported 247.09 million boxes of bananas in Jan–Jul 2026, up 8.32% year-on-year, led by the EU and Russia, though demand slowed in July as the low season began. Biodiversity Under Pressure: New research flags critically low numbers of pink and gray river dolphins in Ecuador’s Amazon, pointing to heightened risk for the region’s remaining populations. Climate-Linked Preparedness: Ecuador’s El Niño response is being framed around earlier warnings and readiness, as extreme weather intensifies on top of long-term warming.

El Niño Alarm in Ecuador: Ecuador has raised its El Niño alert to red as Pacific warming intensifies, with officials warning of stronger drought-flood swings and knock-on risks for communities and infrastructure. Amazon Turtle Recovery: In Ecuador’s Amazon, Siekopai “Turtle Women” are patrolling the Aguarico River to protect vulnerable charapa turtle nests, collecting and raising eggs and releasing hatchlings—while also tackling threats like pollution and rising waters. River Dolphins Under Pressure: New research flags critically endangered pink and gray river dolphins in the Ecuadorian Amazon, with low counts suggesting heightened local threats. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: Ecuadorian authorities intercepted 32 protected Galápagos marine iguanas at Quito airport, seized a trafficking case aimed at shipping them to Iceland, and moved the animals to a conservation center as the investigation continues. Circular Housing in Quito: A Quito home project turns six discarded refrigerated shipping containers into a circular-economy structure, showing how reuse can scale to everyday living. Banana Exports Update: Ecuador exported 247.09 million banana boxes in Jan–Jul 2026, up 8.32% year-on-year, though July demand slowed in parts of Europe.

Wildlife Rescue in the Amazon: Indigenous Siekopai “turtle women” in Ecuador’s Aguarico River are helping threatened charapa turtles recover by patrolling nests, collecting eggs, and cleaning riverbanks as hunting, egg harvesting, pollution, boat traffic, and climate-driven flooding threaten populations. Anti-Trafficking Crackdown (Galápagos): Ecuadorian authorities intercepted 32 protected marine iguanas at Quito airport, allegedly bound for Iceland, and moved them to a conservation center while an investigation continues and prosecutors authorize any return to the islands. Community Clean Energy (Intag Valley): Nineteen families in Imbabura are building a 300-kilowatt run-of-river micro-hydropower project, with half of electricity revenue earmarked for cloud-forest conservation, aiming to reduce reliance on extractive industries. Climate Risk Watch (El Niño): Ecuador has raised El Niño alerts to “Red” as Pacific warming intensifies, while other regions prepare for heavier rains and flooding impacts. Biodiversity Science: Ecuadorian researchers formally described a “new” frog species, Pristimantis milpe, after revisiting specimens long misidentified, highlighting how much biodiversity still hides in plain sight. Conservation Education (Galápagos): Teachers from Indiana joined an environmental education collaboration in the Galápagos, partnering with Ecuadorian schools to boost hands-on learning around biodiversity and conservation.

Wildlife Crime in Ecuador: Ecuadorian authorities intercepted 32 illegal Galápagos marine iguanas at Quito airport, reportedly bound for Iceland, and transferred the dehydrated animals to a conservation center in Pichincha while an investigation continues. Community Climate Solutions: In Intag Valley, 19 families are building a 300-kilowatt run-of-river micro-hydropower plant on the Aguagrún River, aiming to cut reliance on extractive industries while channeling half the electricity revenue into cloud-forest conservation. El Niño Watch for Ecuador: Ecuador has raised its El Niño alert to Red as Pacific warming intensifies, with forecasts pointing to stronger impacts on weather and marine conditions. Biodiversity Research: Ecuadorian scientists formally described a “new” frog species after resolving a century-old taxonomic mix-up, highlighting how much biodiversity still remains to be properly documented.