South American presidents to talk Amazon preservation

The leaders will meet in Colombia on September 6

Published on 28/08/2019 - 17:39 By Andreia Verdélio - Brasília

South American leaders are expected to meet on September 6 to discuss a new unified policy on the preservation of the Amazon and sustainability in the region. According to President Jair Bolsonaro, the meeting will take place in Leticia, a Colombian city on the border with Brazil in Tabatinga, in the Amazon.

At the Alvorada presidential residence today (Aug 28), Bolsonaro welcomed Chilean President Sebastián Piñera to discuss environmental topics and the latter’s guest participation at the G7 (the globe’s seven most industrialized nations—Germany, Canada, the US, France, Italy, Japan, and the UK) on Monday (26), in Biarritz, France.

“I had asked him a few days prior—as well as other heads of state—to speak for Brazil about the moment we’re facing [wildfires in the Amazon]. He did it as a skillful partner, and described our individual position to all G7 members. What we want the most is to reestablish the truth about what’s going on in the Amazon,” Bolsonaro said after the meeting.

The Chilean president noted that Amazon encompasses virtually half of all of the world’s rainforests and captures a fourth of the carbon dioxide emitted worldwide, but added that the sovereignty of the nine Amazon countries must be acknowledged and respected. “They’re the main parties interested and responsible for taking care and protecting the forests and their biodiversity. But all other countries around the world want to make a contribution to better protect the Amazon,” he said.

Chile is to sent Brazil four specialized planes to battle the fire. “We’re inviting other countries willing to make a contribution so that Brazil and the other Amazon countries may use this help from other countries when they request it,” Piñera declared.

Joint note

After the meeting at the Alvorada palace, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry released a joint note in which the two presidents reiterate their commitment to deepen Brazil–Chile cooperation in all fields and to expand integration within South America through political and economic freedom.

The pair agreed to seek bilateral cooperation and financial support overseas to help protect the Amazon in ways compatible with national policies.

“[They] restated the countries’ right to sustainable development and to the rational and sustainable use of their natural resources, in line with environmental duties and the needs of their citizens, including indigenous people. They added that the environmental issues must be tackled through knowledge and scientific knowledge,” the note reads.

Translation: Fabrício Ferreira -  Edition: Valéria Aguiar / Nira Foster

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