Amazon Vision Report

The region is home to 33 million people, 60 percent of the world's remaining rainforests, and one-third of all known plant and animal species. Local communities rely on the region's natural capital for water, food, and livelihoods, while populations worldwide benefit from the Amazonian ecosystem, which affects global weather patterns and holds up to 140 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Decades of settlements, land trafficking, energy and agricultural development, cattle ranching, gold and mineral extraction, and climate change are transforming the region. Illegal activities such as farming illicit crops, illegal gold mining, and occupation by armed groups contribute to regional insecurity and deforestation. In 2020 alone, an estimated 2 million hectares of primary forest loss occurred across the Amazon region, an area the size of El Salvador. The Amazon Vision seeks to support a healthy and resilient forested region valued by society, promote human well-being, and safeguard our global climate. The Vision describes, guides, and measures USAID's investments and conservation impact at a regional scale and includes the work of the Amazon Regional Environmental Program (AREP), the bilateral Missions, and USAID/Washington projects in the Amazon. The Amazon Vision has four overarching goals USAID is working toward across the region: 1. Decrease deforestation, forest degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions 2. Foster an environmentally friendly economy 3. Protect key landscapes and species 4. Secure rights, resources, and health of forest-dependent communities At the bilateral level in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, USAID works closely with host governments, civil society, and the private sector to align efforts toward joint goals. Working with these key stakeholders at the regional level, AREP seeks to complement or fill gaps between bilateral programs and address basin-wide and transnational threats that best benefit from a coordinated regional approach. USAID envisions sustainable and self-sufficient local governance of the Amazon, seeking locally sustained results, leveraging external funding, building local capacities, and promoting inclusive and equitable development. USAID's efforts in the Amazon region are guided by the Amazon Vision, which aims to address the complex challenges facing the region. By working with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders, USAID seeks to promote a healthy and resilient forested region, protect biodiversity, and support sustainable development. The Amazon Vision provides a framework for USAID's investments and conservation impact in the region, ensuring that efforts are coordinated and effective in addressing the region's pressing challenges.