The Great Maya Forest stands as one of the last major green lungs of the American continent. As the second-largest tropical forest in the Americas after the Amazon, it spans over 5.7 million hectares across Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It was in Calakmul, Mexico, that the three countries sealed an unprecedented agreement on August 15: the creation of the Biocultural Corridor of the Great Maya Forest.
A Joint Effort for a Unique Territory
This memorandum of understanding outlines cooperation in fire prevention, combating illegal logging, and sustainable management of forest products. The goal is clear: to protect an exceptional biodiversity that includes around 7,000 species, 200 of which are endangered and 50 considered priorities—among them the jaguar, scarlet macaw, and tapir.
The pact also includes a community-focused component: ensuring that the use of resources—wood, fibers, fruits—directly benefits local residents. To give symbolic momentum to this alliance, the signatories established August 15 as the Day of the Great Maya Forest and created a Conservation Merit Award.
Shared Natural and Cultural Heritage
For the governments involved, the Great Maya Forest is much more than a biodiversity refuge—it is a territory of memory and identity. As John Antonio Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize, emphasized:
“ We are not only protecting an ecosystem, we are also honoring the legacy of the civilization that thrived on these lands. Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize once again show that our political borders do not divide us—they unite our efforts to preserve one of the planet’s last lungs and the living heritage of the Maya peoples. . ”
Regional Development and Integration
The project also reflects a forward-looking vision. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the extension of the Maya Train to Guatemala and Belize to enhance connectivity and support more responsible tourism, without crossing protected areas. The ambition is to create a model where conservation and the inclusion of today’s Maya communities go hand in hand with economic development.
A New Horizon for the Region
Beyond numbers and agreements, this pact embodies a rare determination: three countries choosing to transcend borders to protect a shared treasure. The Great Maya Forest will no longer be just a biodiversity sanctuary—it will become a testing ground for sustainable tourism and unprecedented regional cooperation.
From Calakmul to Tikal, from El Caracol to hidden rivers, this biocultural corridor opens the door to a new way of traveling—one that connects nature, culture, and a shared future.
Photos: Gobierno de Guatemala | Alfie Matus | @TrenMayaMX
