Colombia's Defense Minister has issued an urgent appeal for international cooperation to safeguard the Amazon rainforest during high-stakes talks at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil. With the South American nation housing nearly 10% of Earth's biodiversity, officials warn that illegal logging, unauthorized mining operations, and drug trafficking networks are accelerating environmental degradation.
In an exclusive interview with CGTN correspondent Michelle Begue, the minister emphasized that climate change has become a 'multiplier of threats' to Colombia's ecosystems and water security. 'This isn't just our battle – the Amazon's survival impacts global weather patterns and carbon sequestration capacities,' the minister stated, urging concrete commitments from conference participants.
The call comes as satellite data reveals record deforestation rates in 2025, particularly along Colombia's southeastern borders. Environmental analysts suggest this year's COP30 could prove pivotal for implementing cross-border enforcement mechanisms and sustainable development initiatives in critical rainforest regions.
