Amazon Nations Agree on Unified Environmental Policies

• 11 Aug 2023

In a historic two-day summit held in Belém (ending on 9^th August), Brazil, eight Amazon nations have collaboratively established a set of unified environmental policies to enhance regional cooperation.

Key Points:

• Unity for Environmental Protection: Representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela convened in Belém to foster regional collaboration and devise joint environmental strategies.
• Saving Amazon: The gathering marked the first assembly of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) in 14 years and resulted in the creation of an alliance aimed at safeguarding the Amazon and combating deforestation.
• Diverse Areas of Collaboration: The "Belém Declaration," a shared statement emerging from the summit, commits to deeper cooperation on various fronts, including water management, sustainable development, healthcare, and unified positions during global climate summits.
• Differing Approaches to Deforestation: While the nations concurred on the formation of the alliance and their commitment to combat deforestation, they did not agree on a common target for ending deforestation.
• Each country will individually pursue its deforestation reduction objectives.
• Brazil's Stance and International Climate Concerns: Prior to the summit, Brazilian President advocated for a unified goal of ending deforestation by 2030, mirroring his government's pre-existing policy.