Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Programme
Home to 50 million people and 400 indigenous communities, the Amazon holds 10 percent of the world's terrestrial biodiversity and 20 percent of its fresh water. Yet the people who live there remain among the poorest in the region. Through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, FAO and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) have created the Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Programme, identifying investment opportunities in regional public goods and key value chains that support inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems across the biome.
Fighting inequality
Reduce food insecurity, poverty, and social and gender inequalities.
Rights and knowledge
Respect the rights, territories, and knowledge of indigenous peoples.
Innovation at the core
Enhance digital ecosystems to improve rural services and traceability of Amazon bioproducts.
Sustainable agriculture
Ensure the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Timeline
The programme supports a regional strategy positioning bioeconomy as a driver of sustainable development across ACTO member countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) together with FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
2026 FAO and ACTO sign a three-year memorandum of understanding on bioeconomy, food security and sustainable natural resource management.
2025 The Bogotá Declaration reaffirms regional priorities; the third regional dialogue on Amazonian bioeconomy takes place in Manaus during Amazon Week.
2024 The programme is presented for the first time at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum during the World Food Forum in Rome.
2023 The Belém Declaration recognizes ACTO as the sole intergovernmental coordination body of the eight Amazonian countries.
FAO's support
FAO implements 125 projects across the eight Amazonian countries, representing an investment of USD 356 million. In addition, it convenes the regional dialogues on Amazonian bioeconomy and inclusive rural transformation. FAO and ACTO work alongside governments, financial institutions and technical partners, combining knowledge, financing and territorial development.
Links and resources
- Hand In Hand Initiative
- Presentation: Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Programme
- FAO and OTCA present an $89.9 million investment program in amazonian bioeconomy to promote inclusive rural transformation
- FAO and ACTO promote the Amazon Bioeconomy with a Sustainable Investment Program
- Amazonia Initiative: regional interview at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum 2025