Norway renews tropical forest partnerships with Colombia and Peru

Norway has renewed its climate and forest partnerships with Colombia and Peru to help reduce deforestation in the Amazon and support both countries’ efforts to cut emissions through to 2030.

“Our cooperation with Colombia and Peru is delivering results. By extending these partnerships, Norway reaffirms its long‑term commitment to supporting countries that take concrete steps to halt deforestation,” said Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.

Peru and Colombia contain the world’s fourth- and fifth‑largest rainforest areas, covering a combined territory three times the size of Germany. These forests are among the world’s most important biodiversity regions and home to more than one hundred Indigenous groups.

But the Amazon is under pressure. Agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, unclear land rights, illegal mining, logging, coca production and other illicit activities continue to threaten forest areas. In Colombia, decades of armed conflict have added further pressure on the forests.

The new partnerships aim to strengthen Indigenous rights, improve forest management, promote more sustainable agriculture, and combat environmental crime. Norway will contribute primarily through payments for documented reductions in CO₂ emissions stemming from avoided deforestation.

A decade of results

Norway has cooperated with Colombia and Peru on rainforest protection for over ten years.

Colombia has achieved historically low deforestation rates in recent years. Forest conservation has been integrated into peace processes with armed groups, key ecosystems have been restored, and local communities receive support to use forest resources sustainably. Indigenous people have strengthened legal protection and self‑governance.

Peru has maintained moderate and relatively stable deforestation levels over the past decade and has taken important steps to safeguard the rainforest. Indigenous communities have gained stronger land rights, and new protected areas and reserves for Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation have been established. Many local communities are adopting more sustainable agricultural practices.

Joint international commitment

The renewed agreements have been signed in partnership with Germany and the United Kingdom.

“In a challenging period for international cooperation, it is more important than ever that countries work together, like Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom do with Colombia and Peru,” said Bjelland Eriksen.

Following the signing ceremonies in Lima (27 February) and Bogota (10 March), the agreements will be signed in Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom by their respective governments.

For further information, please refer to the official announcements of the Joint Declarations of Intent:

Norge fornyer regnskogssamarbeid med Colombia og Peru – regjeringen.no (in Norwegian)

Peru’s press release (Spanish):

Perú fortalece protección de bosques amazónicos con suscripción de Declaración Conjunta de Intención con Alemania, Noruega y Reino Unido – Noticias – Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores – Plataforma del Estado Peruano

Colombia’s press release (Spanish):

Alemania, Noruega y Reino Unido ratifican apoyo a Colombia en lucha contra la deforestación