The United States and Ecuador have agreed to extend their Development Assistance Agreement, continuing bilateral collaboration on projects led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These projects focus on environmental conservation, economic inclusion, and citizen participation. The announcement was made during an official event attended by Michael J. Fitzpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, and Gustavo Manrique, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, the U.S. government launched the "Sustainable Livelihoods and Environment for a Vital Amazon" (SELVA) project in Coca. This initiative aims to reduce agricultural expansion in forests and restore forest cover through cooperation with indigenous peoples, communities, and farmers. SELVA is designed to promote sustainable agriculture and forest conservation in the Amazon region.
The program will be implemented through USAID and its partner World Wildlife Fund (WWF), focusing on Sucumbíos and Napo regions. It aims to develop local governance capacities while promoting sustainable livelihoods for indigenous peoples and local communities to manage natural resources effectively.
SELVA intends to protect 213,631 hectares of forests while establishing sustainable land management practices within indigenous territories. This effort supports Ecuador's National Biodiversity Strategy by maintaining carbon stocks. The project has a budget exceeding $11 million and is expected to run until early 2028.
The launch ceremony in Coca was attended by Daniel Sánchez-Bustamante, Director of USAID in Ecuador; Tarsicio Granizo, Director of WWF Ecuador; as well as authorities and community members involved in the project.