AmazonTEC 2021: Technology-Oriented Megaevent Series Unites Amazonian Leaders

October 31, 2021

This past week wrapped up a five-part series part of the mega-event AmazonTEC: Technology, Innovation and Empowerment for an Amazon in Crisis, led by our sister organization in Peru, Conservación Amazónica – ACCA who organized four sessions with the support of the United States Embassy in Peru, Norad, NICFI, and in co-creation with USAID Prevent Project.

This was a hybrid event with some sessions hosted in-person in Peru, and the entire conference was streamed virtually. Local, indigenous, regional, national and international speakers all focused on protecting the Amazon shared successful experiences of using technology in the field to combat environmental crimes, and reflected on challenges and opportunities in technological innovation. 

The first of the five sessions began on October 19. Session 1’s Successful Experiences Applying Technology Against Forest Crimes in the Amazon shared how satellite and drone imagery was used in the field to successfully combat deforestation and other forest crimes such as illegal logging and mining. Representatives from nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations in Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Spain also showcased new apps used to identify illegally logged wood, certify origins of non-timber products, and map and monitor protected areas and indigenous territories. Watch the Spanish Language session here.

During the second session, Innovation Pathway for a Thriving Amazon, panelists reflected on advances and challenges related to generating useful information that could be used by forest guardians or law enforcement. Sections covered why we should act for the Amazon during the post-pandemic period, a stocktaking report on the accelerated forest loss, the experience of indigenous people working with technology, and the latest satellite launch to picture Earth, deforestation, and climate change. Watch the English language session here.

During the third session, Technology and Public Policy for the protection of the Amazon analyzed the intersection between technology and politics at the regional level with live broadcasts with local government officials from Madre de Dios, Loreto and Ucayali. They showed the advances and challenges related to the use of geospatial technology and inter-institutional coordination to face environmental crimes in the Peruvian Amazon. View the Spanish Language session here.

The fourth session, organized by Amazon Conservation, was Technology, Climate and the Future of the Amazon. Ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP26), panelists focused on climate and carbon, its effect on Amazonian species, and impacts on local peoples. Speakers revealed whether the Amazon was moving from a carbon sink to a carbon source, how protected areas and indigenous territories are key measures for combating climate change, and the climate mitigation and resilience measures that could be taken to build a stronger Amazon. Watch the English language sesion here. 

The fifth and final sesion, Indigenous Peoples and Technology for the Defense of the Amazon featured indigenous leaders, local communities, representatives of civil society, and forest guardians who seek to ensure that Amazon-appropriate technologies are designed and implemented. View the Spanish Language session here.

These virtual conferences (session 1, 2, 3 and 5) were organized by Conservación Amazónica – ACCA with the support of the United States Embassy in Peru, Norad, NICFI, and in co-creation with USAID Prevent Project, with whom we share the vision of maintaining a prosperous Amazon and the sense of urgency to multiply efforts and partnerships to substantially reduce deforestation by 2030 and eradicate crimes against the forest. To learn more, please visit amazontec.pe .

About AmazonTEC

AmazonTEC2021 is an annual event which brings together national, regional and local authorities, indigenous communities, civil society, academia, and international stakeholders to learn, innovate, and build technological solutions that protect Amazonian forests.