AGP Executive Report

Wildlife at Risk: Ecuador’s endangered Jambato harlequin toad faces a new threat: a road expansion through its only known habitat in the Angamarca River Basin. With only a few hundred toads left, the project has become a test of the country’s rights-of-nature protections. Water Security: The IDB approved $128.48 million to improve drinking water, sanitation and waste services in Ecuador, 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 targeting cross-border crimes such as illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking. The approved resolution recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ role in protecting their territories. Floods and El Niño: Recent heavy rains brought floods and landslides to Ecuador, while an intensifying El Niño is raising concerns about further extreme weather and pressure on communities and food systems.

Mining Accountability: Ecuadorian community representatives are among witnesses set to tell the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights about alleged abuses linked to Canadian mining, including water contamination and threats to environmental defenders. Amazon Bioeconomy: A new regional platform maps 232 public policies across the Pan-Amazon, including Ecuador, aiming to improve coordination and support businesses that rely on biodiversity and local knowledge. Water Security: The IDB approved a $128.5 million package for drinking water, sanitation and waste services in Ecuador, expected to benefit about 283,000 people, including 166,000 in the Amazon. Extreme Weather: El Niño is bringing intense rain to coastal Ecuador while high temperatures and fires affect parts of the highlands and Amazon; earlier floods and landslides left thousands homeless. Environmental Crime: Ecuador is among countries backing talks on a UN protocol to improve cross-border efforts against crimes such as illegal wildlife and timber trafficking and illicit mining.

Water Security: The Inter-American Development Bank approved a $128.48 million package for drinking water, sanitation and waste-management projects in Ecuador, with about 283,000 people expected to benefit, including 166,000 in the Amazon. The funding also aims to build climate resilience. El Niño and Floods: Heavy rain has flooded parts of Ecuador’s coast, while heat and fires affect other regions. Recent floods and landslides have killed one person and left thousands homeless. Ecuador and Peru have pledged joint action on climate change and El Niño. Environmental Crime: Ecuador is among 11 countries proposing a UN protocol to strengthen cross-border efforts against crimes such as illegal wildlife and timber trafficking, illicit mining and waste trading. Amazon Protection: Indigenous leaders warn that criminal networks threaten the Amazon, and call for Indigenous communities to have a central role in protecting the region.

El Niño and Floods: Heavy rains have flooded parts of Ecuador’s coast and caused four rivers to overflow, while Esmeraldas faces intense rainfall and hotter conditions in the highlands and Amazon raise wildfire concerns. Environmental Crime: Ecuador joined 10 countries proposing a UN protocol to improve cross-border investigations and cooperation against crimes such as illegal wildlife, timber and mineral trafficking. Regional Response: Ecuador and Peru agreed to coordinate on climate change and El Niño, and signed a fisheries cooperation agreement as part of a broader push on energy and trade. Banana Sector: Ecuador’s Oct. 28–30 Banana Time summit will focus on water and soil management, El Niño preparation and crop disease threats; banana exports rose nearly 10% year-on-year through August. Chocó Andino: A conservation partnership aims to protect about 50 hectares of forest near Mindo, a biodiverse habitat in Ecuador’s western Andes.

Flooding: Heavy rain pushed the Catarama, Vinces, Tenguel and Pagua rivers over their banks, flooding homes and farmland across six coastal cantons in Los Ríos, Guayas and El Oro. Regional Climate Cooperation: Ecuador and Peru agreed to coordinate responses to climate change and El Niño, alongside signing fisheries and energy agreements. Banana Sector: Ecuador’s export industry will meet in Guayaquil on Oct. 28–30 to address climate risks, crop diseases and logistics; the agenda includes soil and water management and preparing farms for El Niño. Amazon Communities: New research finds some Quichua communities accept oil projects despite expected ecological harm, as pollution from upstream extraction can reach them before any project benefits arrive. Chocó Conservation: A Belgian nature foundation is helping protect 50 hectares of forest in Ecuador’s Mindo region, a biodiversity-rich habitat for butterflies and other wildlife.

Regional Climate Cooperation: Ecuador and Peru agreed to coordinate on climate change and El Niño, alongside new fisheries and energy agreements. Banana Sustainability: Ecuador’s major banana convention will focus on soil and water management, crop health and preparing farms for El Niño. Flooding: Intense rain caused four rivers to overflow, flooding residential and productive areas across six coastal cantons and damaging roads. Chocó Andino: A conservation partnership aims to protect 50 hectares of forest near Mindo, a biodiversity-rich area. Amazon Protection: Indigenous leaders are urging international action against criminal networks threatening the Amazon, while research with Quichua communities highlights how oil pollution can reach downstream territories before they receive any project benefits. Wildlife Discovery: Researchers described a new Ecuadorian Amazon spider that mimics a fungus-infected corpse, a rare example of deceptive camouflage.

Amazon Wildlife: Researchers have described a new Ecuadorian Amazon spider that mimics a fungus-infected corpse, the first known spider reported to imitate the deadly infection. Regional Climate Action: Ecuador and Peru pledged joint efforts against climate change and El Niño and signed a fisheries cooperation agreement. Flooding: El Niño-linked downpours have swollen four rivers and flooded six coastal cantons; rains since late August have affected more than 23,000 people and killed three, authorities say. Farm Resilience: Heifer International plans to help 16,000 farming families in Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras prepare for drought and flooding by protecting water supplies, improving drainage and adjusting planting schedules. Oil and Indigenous Communities: Research with Quichua communities along the Lower Napo finds that oil’s pollution can reach communities before extraction arrives, while promised benefits go mainly to areas hosting projects.

Flood Emergency: Heavy rain has overflowed the Catarama, Vinces, Tenguel and Pagua rivers, flooding homes and productive areas across six coastal cantons. Guayaquil roads were also inundated as authorities activated emergency measures. Oil and Indigenous Communities: New research with Quichua communities along the Lower Napo finds that pollution can reach communities before oil projects do, while company benefits tend to go only to places where extraction occurs—helping explain why some communities accept drilling despite expected harm. El Niño Readiness: Heifer International plans to support farming families in Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras with measures including protecting water supplies, improving drainage and adjusting planting schedules ahead of drought and flooding. Coastal Risk: Scientists warn El Niño could temporarily raise sea levels along the coast from Mexico to Ecuador, increasing the danger of flooding and erosion.

Flood Emergency: El Niño-linked downpours triggered floods, overflowing rivers and landslides across Ecuador, inundating about 50 areas of Guayaquil and disrupting classes in five provinces. Since the nationwide red alert began in August, rains have affected more than 23,000 people and killed three, authorities say. Farmers Brace for El Niño: Heifer International plans to help at least 16,000 farming families in Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras protect water supplies, crops, livestock and transport from drought and flooding. Ecuador’s banana and cocoa growers also face risks from extreme rain, including flooding, crop disease and damage to yields. Amazon Protection: Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and other Amazon countries are urging governments at a UN meeting to target criminal networks behind illegal mining, logging and drug trafficking, and give Indigenous communities a stronger role in protecting their territories. Quito Biodiversity: A new guide documents 82 macrofungi species in Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, highlighting the diversity of fungi in the capital’s urban green space.

Flood Emergency: El Niño-linked downpours triggered floods, overflowing rivers and landslides across four provinces, with about 50 areas inundated in Guayaquil. Classes were suspended in affected parts of five provinces; since the nationwide alert began in August, three people have died and more than 23,000 have been affected. Amazon Under Pressure: Indigenous representatives from Ecuador and other Amazon countries are urging UN delegates in Vienna to confront the criminal networks behind illegal mining, logging and deforestation, and give Indigenous communities a stronger role in protecting their territories. El Niño and Food: New research identifies extreme rainfall as a major threat to cocoa crops in Ecuador, damaging flowers and young fruit and encouraging disease; harvest effects may emerge months later. Wildlife and Pollution: Reports flag a surge in illegal Galápagos iguana trafficking as El Niño intensifies. Separately, residents are seeking dialogue after an oil spill was reported in the Cupa River. Power Risks: Low water has reduced hydropower generation, contributing to blackouts in Quito, Guayaquil and areas near Cuenca as Ecuador prepares for El Niño’s peak months.

Flood Emergency: Floods across Ecuador on Oct. 18 killed one person and affected about 22,000, damaging homes and roads and leaving thousands without shelter. Amazon Protection: Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and neighboring Amazon countries are at a UN conference in Vienna this week, urging action against criminal networks driving illegal mining, logging and deforestation, and a stronger role for Indigenous communities in protecting their territories. Climate and Crops: New research finds extreme downpours can damage cocoa flowers and young fruit, disrupt pollination and spread disease; in Ecuador, harvest impacts may appear six to eight months later. Quito Biodiversity: A new guide documents 82 macrofungi species in Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, highlighting the diversity of fungi in the capital’s urban green space. El Niño Readiness: Ecuador says it is preparing its electric system for peak El Niño months as the Pacific warming raises risks of severe weather and power disruptions.

Flood Emergency: Floods across Ecuador killed one person and affected about 22,000, damaging homes and roads and leaving families without shelter. Amazon Crime: Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and neighboring Amazon countries are heading to a U.N. conference in Vienna to push for action against criminal networks driving illegal mining, logging and deforestation—and for a stronger role in protecting their territories. Quito Biodiversity: A new guide documents 82 macrofungi species in Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, highlighting the biodiversity thriving in the capital’s urban forest. El Niño Readiness: Ecuador is preparing its electricity system for peak El Niño months, as low water has already cut hydropower and triggered blackouts in major cities. Amazon Oil Expansion: The government plans to auction 14 oil blocks in the southern Amazon, reviving a contested proposal Indigenous groups oppose.

El Niño Watch: A rapidly expanding Super El Niño has pushed exceptionally warm water off Ecuador and Peru and farther into the Pacific, raising concern about severe weather. Ecuador is also preparing its electricity system for peak El Niño months after low water cut hydro generation and triggered blackouts. Amazon Oil: President Daniel Noboa’s government plans to open 14 Amazon oil blocks to exploration, reviving a controversial auction abandoned after Indigenous opposition. Indigenous Voices: Leaders from Ecuador and three other Amazon countries are in Vienna urging governments to recognize Indigenous communities’ role in fighting illegal mining, logging and trafficking as they consider a new protocol on environmental crime. Border Security: Ecuador and Peru are coordinating operations and intelligence-sharing against illegal mining and logging, aiming to stop criminal networks from shifting across their shared border.

El Niño Watch: Warm Pacific waters have expanded off Ecuador and Peru, with some areas more than 3°C above seasonal norms. Ecuador is preparing its electricity system for peak El Niño months after low water levels curtailed hydro generation and triggered blackouts. Galápagos Wildlife: Conservationists warn that illegal iguana trafficking is adding pressure to marine iguanas already vulnerable to El Niño-driven food shortages and deaths; they are calling for stronger controls on the wildlife trade. Amazon Oil: Ecuador’s plan to auction 14 new oil blocks in the southern Amazon is facing Indigenous opposition, amid concerns about extraction in contested forests and territories. Cross-Border Crime: Ecuador and Peru are stepping up intelligence-sharing and joint operations against illegal mining and logging, aiming to stop criminal networks shifting across their shared border. Biodiversity: Researchers have recorded 15 ant species in Ecuador for the first time, adding to knowledge of the country’s rich wildlife.

Amazon Voices: Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and three other Amazon countries are heading to a U.N. meeting in Vienna to press for recognition of their role in fighting illegal mining, logging and other environmental crimes. Galápagos Wildlife: Researchers warn that expanding El Niño conditions and a rise in illegal iguana trafficking are adding pressure to vulnerable marine iguanas, already facing starvation and mass mortality. Power and El Niño: Low water has cut hydropower, bringing blackouts to Quito, Guayaquil and areas near Cuenca; the government says it is strengthening the grid ahead of El Niño’s peak months, while outages are hitting shrimp producers. Amazon Oil: Ecuador has revived plans to auction 14 Amazon oil blocks, drawing renewed opposition from Indigenous groups concerned about drilling on contested lands. Plastic Pollution: A fungus found in Ecuador’s Amazon can break down polyurethane, including in low-oxygen conditions, raising the prospect of new ways to treat persistent plastic waste.

Amazon Crime: Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and neighboring Amazon countries are in Vienna ahead of a U.N. meeting, pressing governments to recognize Indigenous communities’ role in fighting illegal mining, logging and trafficking. El Niño & Power: New Pacific maps show exceptionally warm waters extending farther south, adding to concern as low water has cut hydropower and caused blackouts in Ecuador. The government says it is preparing the grid for peak El Niño months. Oil Expansion: Ecuador has revived plans to auction 14 oil blocks in the southern Amazon near Peru, prompting renewed opposition from Indigenous groups. Galápagos Wildlife: Scientists warn that rising illegal iguana trafficking adds pressure on marine iguanas already threatened by El Niño-related food shortages. Biodiversity: Ecuador has recorded 15 ant species for the first time, while a proposed road through Jambato harlequin toad habitat is raising conservation concerns.