• One of the objectives is to promote and facilitate processes that contribute to an economy that fosters sustainable investments.


• The agreement enters into force on the date of signature and will be valid until 2025, with the possibility of extension.

The Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP) and Conservation International signed a framework cooperation agreement with the aim of carrying out joint activities that contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources, their environmental services, and the conservation of biological diversity in Peru. The agreement promotes the development and strengthening of the capacities of indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon.

The agreement was signed this Friday, February 18, at the AIDESEP office in Lima. Luis Espinel Cuba, Vice President of Conservation International Peru, and Jorge Pérez Rubio, President of AIDESEP, signed the agreement.

Indigenous Economy

One of the main priorities of the new presidency of AIDESEP is the indigenous economy, considered one of the key agendas of the Amazonian movement. Indigenous economy is closely linked to forest conservation. The agreement signed between AIDESEP and Conservation International is within this context. On one hand, it aims to leverage joint expertise in conservation and sustainable forest promotion, and on the other, it aims to strengthen the indigenous economy by supporting economic empowerment and productive forest conservation.

"This is the first time that Conservation International, a very important organization in the country and the world, will enter into an agreement with AIDESEP, basically to develop actions in the field of indigenous economy, which is one of the major agendas of the institution. It is oriented towards how the ventures and activities that indigenous peoples have been developing for many years can be integrated into the market economy in a healthy way that does not have major impacts on the environment. It is necessary to carry out initiatives that improve the quality of life of indigenous peoples. After this agreement, operational plans will follow, and we will create a joint agenda between AIDESEP and Conservation International," said Jorge Pérez Rubio, president of AIDESEP, during the signing of the agreement.

On his part, Luis Espinel mentioned that the organization has been operating in Peru since 1989 in various regions of the Amazon, and that over the last 10 years, they have focused their efforts on collaborating with the Awajún communities of Alto Mayo in the San Martín region. He added that since last year, they have begun to venture into other regions of the Amazon, working closely with the Amarakaeri, Machiguenga, and Yanesha communal reserves, thanks to the Our Future Forests - Green Amazon project, through which a scholarship program for indigenous women leaders from the Amazon has also been developed. He also noted that new projects will soon be implemented to support the communal reserves of Purús, Sira, Airo Pai, and Huimeki.

"In partnership with USAID, we are also developing the Amazon Business Alliance project, which aims to support various ventures in the Amazon, both small and large, involving associations, communities, and businesses, to develop sustainable businesses that truly benefit local populations. We are reaching out to Madre de Dios, Ucayali, Huánuco, and San Martín. We know that other regions also require support, and we are exploring ways to reach them. Therefore, it is extremely important for us to sign this framework agreement for the first time with AIDESEP and, in this way, establish work plans that allow us to raise more funds and have greater coordination to build a joint agenda and unite efforts," stated Luis Espinel.

Specific objectives of the agreement

The framework cooperation agreement between AIDESEP and Conservation International specifies the specific objectives of the agreement as follows:

• Promote participatory activities and workshops to strengthen indigenous governance, capacity development, and knowledge exchange, among others.


• Promote and facilitate processes that contribute to the transition towards an economy that promotes sustainable, low-carbon investments, focusing on achieving the goals set in nationally determined contributions and sustainable development objectives.


• Develop, implement, and promote actions aimed at conserving natural heritage, ecosystem services, biological and cultural diversity.

Support the dissemination of activities carried out by Conservation International and AIDESEP in the spaces where we participate and that are related to the work areas of both organizations.

About AIDESEP: It is the spokesperson organization for indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon, working for the defense and respect of their collective rights through actions to address their issues and present alternative development proposals, according to their worldview and way of life. AIDESEP is led by a National Executive Council elected periodically every 3 years by its regional bases: 9 decentralized organizations located in the north, central, and south of the Peruvian jungle. Additionally, it has 109 federations that also participate in the elections through National Congresses. These represent 1,809 communities where more than 650,000 indigenous men and women live, grouped into 19 linguistic families.

About Conservation International: It is an international nonprofit organization focused on protecting nature for the benefit of humanity. Founded in 1987, it currently has offices in 30 countries and carries out projects in over 100 countries worldwide. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and financing, it supports the protection of nature's most important places for climate, biodiversity, and people. In Peru, it has been working since 1989 to conserve and promote the sustainable development of the Peruvian Amazon. Conservation International partners with indigenous peoples, local communities, governments, businesses, and civil society to help people and nature thrive together.