3 Nations Unite to Save the Great Maya Forest

Calakmul, Mexico — The governments of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have signed an unprecedented agreement to safeguard the Great Maya Forest, the second-largest natural reserve on the continent. The initiative, formalized in Calakmul, aims to strengthen cooperation and establish the foundation for a more interconnected and sustainable region committed to the well-being of its communities.

A Regional Milestone for Conservation

On August 15, 2025, leaders from Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize gathered in the historic region of Calakmul, Campeche, to sign the Calakmul Declaration: Great Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor. The agreement encompasses 5.7 million hectares shared by the three nations, making it the second-most significant natural reserve in the Americas, surpassed only by the Amazon.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo described the event as "extraordinary" and a "historic meeting," noting that it marked the first time the three heads of state had convened for such a consequential purpose: "Working for the environment and the shared prosperity of our peoples." She emphasized that this collaboration for the biocultural corridor could serve as a "global example."

An Ancestral and Shared Legacy

The Great Maya Forest spans the three territories with the following distribution:

• 0.6 million hectares in Belize.
• 2.7 million hectares in Guatemala.
• 2.4 million hectares in Mexico.

Totaling 5.7 million hectares, the forest was the cradle of ancient civilizations and remains home to their descendants, a living testament to cultural and natural heritage.

Leaders' Vision: Unity Beyond Borders

Belizean Prime Minister Johnny Briceño stressed that the political borders between Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize "do not divide but unite efforts" to preserve one of the planet’s last lungs and the living heritage of the Maya peoples.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted that the three nations are collaborating "to respond together to common threats." Arévalo described the peoples of Mesoamerica as stemming from the same roots, "imagining a shared future" and situated in "one of the world’s natural lungs."

Sustainable Development and Ancestral Wisdom

Briceño stated that the ratification of this biocultural corridor is not only a commitment to biodiversity but also "represents a bridge to a future where sustainable development, regenerative tourism, and ancestral wisdom guide our path." This shared vision seeks to integrate environmental respect with the progress of local communities.

Structure and Commitment for the Future

The implementation of this initiative will be overseen by the Council of Protected Areas Authorities, composed of officials appointed by the three countries. The proposed model will have the support and active participation of environmental organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

President Arévalo reaffirmed the "immense responsibility" of the three nations in sharing this "vast heritage" within the forest. He declared: "Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize—our three governments—are stepping forward because by protecting the Great Maya Forest, we protect life and diversity, honor history, and safeguard the future."

Toward a Connected and Sustainable Future

In her closing remarks, President Sheinbaum Pardo reiterated that the common goal is to "strengthen cooperation among our nations to build a more connected, sustainable, and just region deeply committed to the well-being of our peoples." She emphasized the historic opportunity to transform "geographic, cultural, and social coincidences into a solid alliance that places human dignity, the defense of nature, and a shared vision of a sustainable future at its core."

Sowing Life for Regional Well-Being

As part of this framework, the Mexican president announced the expansion of the Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life) program into neighboring countries along the southern border. This initiative aims to regenerate soil, restore forest cover in degraded areas, and promote food self-sufficiency, with the primary goal of improving the well-being of communities historically tied to the land.

The Calakmul Declaration marks a turning point in the environmental and regional policies of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Beyond protecting a vital ecosystem, the agreement symbolizes an unprecedented commitment to collaboration among heads of state. Could this serve as a model for future alliances in the region, placing sustainability and human well-being at the center of public policy?