In a landmark move for both environmental stewardship and international cooperation, the governments of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have joined forces to create the Great Mayan Forest Biocultural Corridor. The historic agreement, signed on August 15, 2025, in Calakmul, Campeche, brings together 5.7 million hectares of vibrant rainforest spanning the heart of Mesoamerica—an area second only to the Amazon in size among the continent’s tropical forests, according to EFE and multiple leading regional outlets.
The corridor integrates 27 protected areas in Guatemala, 12 in Mexico, and 11 in Belize, forming a contiguous sanctuary for some of the world’s most emblematic and threatened species. Jaguars, red macaws, tapirs, the iconic quetzal, and spider monkeys are just a few of the roughly 7,000 species—200 of them at risk, 50 listed as priorities, and 250 endemic to Mexico—that stand to benefit from this unprecedented alliance. The region is also home to around two million people, many of whom are indigenous Maya or Afro-descendant communities whose deep-rooted stewardship is now formally acknowledged and elevated by the accord.
“We should be proud to be able to tell the world: we have united our will to preserve and restore the legacy of this extraordinary biological and cultural wealth. Today’s agreement is historic and beautiful,” declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as she signed the trilateral memorandum of understanding alongside Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo de León and Belizean Prime Minister John Antonio Briceño, as reported by Riviera Maya News. Her words echoed a sense of unity that transcended political borders—an idea further reinforced by Briceño, who insisted, “Our political borders do not divide, but rather unite efforts to preserve one of the last lungs of the planet and the living heritage of the Mayan people.”
The corridor’s creation is more than just a symbolic gesture. It sets out a concrete framework for environmental protection, sustainable development, and cultural respect. Among its key objectives are the fight against illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, forest fires, poaching, and pollution—challenges that have long plagued the region’s biodiversity. The corridor will also promote regenerative tourism, social justice, and the sustainable use of both timber and non-timber forest resources, with a strong emphasis on community involvement and benefit.
Central to the project’s governance will be a Council of Protected Areas Authorities, comprising representatives from all three nations. This council will work hand-in-hand with a trinational support group that includes environmental organizations, business leaders, academics, and civil society actors. Their mission: to ensure the corridor’s long-term ecological integrity, foster cooperation in sharing information and technology, and provide joint training in critical areas like integrated fire management and sustainable resource use.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo emphasized the magnitude of the task and the shared responsibility it entails. “The three countries in this immense jungle possess an immense heritage, and consequently we have an immense responsibility. By protecting the Great Mayan Forest, we are protecting life and diversity and honoring history to protect the future,” he stated, as cited by SinEmbargo. Arévalo also highlighted the commitment to a sustainable development model that generates well-being for the region’s communities, noting that the council’s design and execution will be integral to this vision.
The corridor’s ecological reach includes some of the most vital and diverse habitats in Mesoamerica. In Mexico, sites like the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and Balam Kú Flora and Fauna Protection Area are now linked with Guatemala’s Mirador-Río Azul National Park and Dos Lagunas Biotope, as well as Belize’s Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area and Aguas Turbias Protected Natural Area. This connectivity is crucial for maintaining the ecological continuity of tropical rainforests, mangroves, and unique wetland systems known as Petenes, all of which play a strategic role in climate regulation, water cycle maintenance, and regional biodiversity conservation.
Recognizing the vital role of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, the agreement explicitly honors them as guardians of nature. Their inclusion in decision-making and on-the-ground conservation efforts is seen as essential for the corridor’s success. As Riviera Maya News noted, “Without them, ecosystems could not be preserved and threats such as illegal logging, environmental pollution, and fires could not be curbed.” This participatory approach is further underlined by the commitment to social justice and equitable sharing of benefits arising from sustainable tourism and resource management.
As a practical measure to support rural development and environmental restoration, President Sheinbaum also announced the expansion of Mexico’s Sembrando Vida program into Guatemala and Belize. This initiative, now entering its second phase, aims to regenerate soils, restore degraded forest cover, and promote food self-sufficiency—improving the well-being of local communities. The program’s expansion is seen as a concrete step toward the corridor’s broader goals, linking environmental protection with tangible socioeconomic benefits.
Infrastructure projects like the Tren Maya, which aims to strengthen regional connectivity and prosperity, are also being tied to the corridor’s vision. By integrating transportation and conservation planning, the governments hope to balance development with the imperative to protect natural and cultural heritage.
To ensure lasting recognition for those dedicated to conservation, the three countries have established August 15 as the annual Day of the Great Mayan Forest, starting in 2026. In addition, a new Merit for Conservation award will honor individuals who devote their lives to safeguarding ecosystems and species.
“Protecting the Great Mayan Forest, we protect life, diversity, and honor history to safeguard the future,” President Arévalo concluded, encapsulating the sense of urgency and hope that permeated the signing ceremony.
The creation of the Great Mayan Forest Biocultural Corridor stands as a rare beacon of international cooperation, blending environmental science, indigenous wisdom, and political will. As threats to the world’s forests mount and the climate crisis deepens, this trinational alliance offers a model for how nations can come together to preserve not only the planet’s lungs, but also the cultural and biological legacies that define us all.
