Tackling Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon

As part of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) on Biodiversity, NRGI will convene a critical discussion about illegal gold mining in the Amazon. The session will focus on the serious impacts of illegal mining on biodiversity and sustainable development in the Amazon. 

The event will offer concrete proposals for sustainable solutions, aiming to protect vulnerable ecosystems while promoting biodiversity, justice and economic development for local communities. It aims to bring together governments, NGOs, Indigenous communities and private sector actors to develop coordinated strategies for protecting the Amazon and combating illegal gold mining. The panel will explore how corruption and state capture perpetuate these illegal activities, weakening environmental laws and enforcement. 

Key speakers

• José Manuyama, Water Committee for the Defense of the Nanay River
• Ana Carolina González Espinosa, NRGI
• Rodrigo Botero, Fundación para la Conservación y Desarrollo Sostenible (FCDS)
• Milagros Berríos, Regional Investigative Network at OjoPúblico
• Melissa Marengo, NRGI (moderator)