The Escazu Agreement is the first environmental treaty of Latin America and the Caribbean. It opened for signature on 27 Sept, 2018 at the UN headquarters. It promises greater participation in environmental decisions and access to justice for victims of environmental damage. It also includes important protections for environmental rights defenders.

The Escazú Agreement will enter into force 90 days following the 11th ratification. The experts commended the 11 countries that ratified the agreement: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Uruguay.