At AIDA, one of our core pillars is using the law strategically — backed by science and international advocacy — to set important precedents that protect the environment and human rights across Latin America.

This year, our work helped strengthen both regional and global legal frameworks so they can better respond to the social and environmental challenges we face today.

These advances led to the creation of key legal tools that open new opportunities to defend communities and their territories, protect the region’s biodiversity, and hold governments and companies accountable.

The progress we saw in 2025 highlights the transformative power of law, science, and the collective strength of communities when they work together.

1. Two new global treaties restore hope for the ocean — and for all of us

This year brought two historic achievements that could change the future of the ocean, and our own.

The first is the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, which will take effect in January 2026. This legally binding agreement creates shared rules and a system of multilateral governance for the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction — nearly half the planet.

The second milestone is the entry into force of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. For the first time, a multilateral trade treaty puts environmental sustainability front and center by banning government subsidies that fuel illegal fishing and the depletion of overfished stocks.

AIDA played an important role in ensuring Latin America’s perspectives were reflected in both agreements. We provided technical support to government representatives throughout the process, and we continue working to make sure these treaties lead to real, effective action across the region.

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2. Maya community in Guatemala achieves a landmark environmental victory

In Chinautla, Guatemala, the Poqomam Maya community won an unprecedented court ruling over decades of river pollution that violated their rights. The court ordered the municipality to carry out studies, programs, and plans to reduce pollution — and to ensure the community is involved every step of the way.

This is the first time a court in Guatemala has recognized both a people’s right to a healthy environment and their central role in finding solutions. The ruling could inspire other municipalities along the Motagua River, the country’s longest river, where pollution also threatens the Mesoamerican Reef.

Beyond providing legal support, AIDA helped the community document illegal dumping that harmed their water sources. This hands-on “community science” effort played a crucial role in both the lawsuit and the historic ruling.

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3. Corte Interamericana marca un antes y después para la justicia climática

On July 3, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued its long-awaited Advisory Opinion 32 on human rights and the climate emergency — a landmark moment for climate justice both regionally and globally. The Court clarifies the legal obligations of states to protect people and communities affected by the climate crisis, opening new pathways for justice in national and international courts, climate negotiations, and public policy advocacy.

For the first time, the Court recognized the right to a healthy climate and affirmed that states have a duty to prevent companies from violating human rights in the context of climate change.

Ahead of this decision, AIDA helped amplify the voices of communities across the region, facilitating their testimony before the Court and presenting our own arguments for recognizing the right to a stable and safe climate.

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Discover the stories behind these victories and our full review of the year in our 2025 Annual Report.