Gisela Hurtado, Stand.earth Campaigner on Amazonia for Life

Hello Stand.earth community,

My name is Gisela Hurtado, and I recently joined Stand.earth as Senior Campaigner for the Amazonia for Life campaign – a global movement led by Indigenous leaders to protect at least 80% of the Amazonia.

I come from the highlands of Peru, where my family, from the Indigenous communities in Huancavelica, passed down something that shaped who I am: the belief that we must live in balance with the natural world. My childhood was rooted in these teachings. Today, this connection fuels my work to fight alongside Indigenous Peoples who have protected Amazonia for generations.

But as I write to you, the Amazon rainforest is burning. Its people and its incredible biodiversity are under threat. And while there are claims of global leadership on climate, the response to this crisis has been slow. Too slow.

Yet, even amidst the smoke, there is hope.

This year’s COP16 in Colombia is a pivotal moment – a critical step toward our shared goal of protecting Amazonia. It’s a moment we cannot afford to miss. Governments will gather to discuss biodiversity and the urgent need to protect ecosystems like Amazonia. But for me, the most important part of this moment is making sure that Indigenous Peoples are not just included – they must lead. Their voices, expertise, and rights must shape the decisions.

This isn’t our fight to lead. We’re here to support, provide technical assistance, and stand with Indigenous leaders as they guide the way forward. Their leadership is essential to our success.

COP16 is a critical launch point – it will set the groundwork for next year’s Belem Agreement, the “Paris Agreement” for Amazonia. It’s also the first time both the biodiversity and climate conferences are taking place in Amazonian countries – Colombia and Brazil. This is a rare moment where the Indigenous Peoples from Amazonia can lead the global conversation on climate and biodiversity on their own lands.

Our team plans to be there, making sure their voices aren’t just heard but placed at the heart of every conversation.

Here’s what we need to do:

Ensure Indigenous Rights and Territories Are Central: At COP16, governments will negotiate the Global Biodiversity Framework. We must guarantee legal protection for Indigenous Territories. These lands are vital ecosystems that have been safeguarded for generations, and their protection is key to the Amazon’s future.

Advocate for Direct Funding to Indigenous Peoples: Resources must reach Indigenous communities quickly and independently. This funding enables them to manage their lands, protect the Amazon, and address long-standing inequalities in climate finance, all while supporting global climate goals.

This huge moment is an opportunity that may not come again. The success of COP16 is crucial – it will set the foundation for the road map to protect Amazonia.

This isn’t just about attending a conference—it’s about showing up for the Indigenous communities that are fighting for the survival of their people, the Amazonia, and the planet.

We’ve done this before. At COP15 in 2022, our Amazonia Against the Clock report helped secure critical recognition of Indigenous Territories. That victory proved what we can accomplish together – but we can’t stop now. This is only the beginning.

DONATE

Your donation today will help us ensure that COP16 is a turning point – a moment when the world acknowledges Amazonia’s state of emergency and takes decisive action to protect it.

With hope and gratitude,

Gisela Hurtado (she/her)
Senior Campaigner, Amazonia for Life
Stand.earth