Amazon Frontlines is deeply concerned about the U.S. Department of State’s decision to applaud Ecuador’s entry into the Minerals Security Partnership Forum. This action notably does not acknowledge the devastating impacts Ecuador’s affiliation will have on the Amazon rainforest, the global climate, and Indigenous territories. By directly encouraging policies that prioritize large-scale mining over the protection of the environment and Indigenous rights, the U.S. is complicit in the ongoing destruction of one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet and an area that is critical to mitigating global climate change.
The operational history of the Minerals Security Partnership shows us that while the partners claim to uphold high environmental standards, the group’s mandate fails to account for the irreversible damage that increased extraction activities will cause in the Amazon. Furthermore, the Partnership boasts significant geographic expansion plans into vast Indigenous rainforest territories, overshadowing their purported focus on securing minerals for green and digital transformations. By enabling Ecuador’s plans, the U.S. undermines global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and preserve critical ecosystems essential for our planet’s stability. The State Department also blatantly disregards the role of Indigenous peoples as the true guardians of the Amazon rainforest.
We call on the U.S. Department of State to reconsider its position to support Ecuador’s entry into the Minerals Security Partnership Forum and instead prioritize policies that protect the environment, safeguard our climate, and respect Indigenous rights. Authentic leadership in the fight against climate change demands a commitment to bold action to preserve our planet’s natural and cultural heritage. It is time to recognize that true security does not come from exploiting natural resources, instead it is critical to keep these resources for future generations. The world is watching, and the U.S. must take a stand for the Amazon, the environment, and the Indigenous peoples on the frontlines of defending these vital ecosystems.
