Pachamama Alliance is thrilled to announce that Belén Páez, our Vice President and Fundación Pachamama’s President, has been awarded the inaugural Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16).
Held in Cali, Colombia from October 21 to November 1, 2024, CBD COP16 is the 16th gathering where global leaders, scientists, and advocates meet to advance strategies for biodiversity protection worldwide. The Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize was established to recognize the remarkable dedication of individuals working to protect the Amazon rainforest and to carry forward Dr. Thomas Lovejoy’s legacy of science-backed conservation.
For more than 28 years, Belén has been a powerful advocate for the Amazon and the Indigenous communities who call it home. As a visionary leader of Fundación Pachamama and having served as Secretary for the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, her impact has been instrumental in advancing both climate action and the rights of Amazonian Indigenous peoples. Her work has led to critical victories in forest preservation and post-extractive economic initiatives, as well as the protection of Indigenous territories.
“It is important to live with purpose and commitment. For me, that purpose is the Amazon, and the people who have protected it for generations,” Belen shared in her acceptance speech at COP16. "In these forests, there is a wisdom that we must not only listen to, but also follow. The Amazonian people are the guardians of sacred knowledge that can guide humanity towards a future in which we can coexist, not only as human individuals, but as part of a community of interconnected living beings."
The Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize honors Dr. Lovejoy, an esteemed conservationist and scientist who devoted his life to safeguarding the Amazon and its invaluable biodiversity. Created by organizations including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and World Wildlife Fund-US (WWF-US), the prize recognizes leaders who embody values of science, collaboration, and deep respect for nature.
This award is a tremendous recognition of Belén’s tireless dedication, and it highlights the vital importance of initiatives like Fundación Pachamama and the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance Initiative, which promote sustainable paths forward for both people and nature in the Amazon. Belén’s work—and this recognition—reaffirms our collective vision of a world where human societies thrive in harmony with the Earth.
We are profoundly proud of Belén and celebrate this honor with her as she continues to lead with purpose, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the Amazon.
