Leaders from eight nations, comprising the Amazon River basin, convened in Brazil for a landmark summit, uniting to counter the accelerating deforestation of the world’s largest rainforest. Hosted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the assembly culminated in the formulation of the “Belém Declaration,” named after the Brazilian city where the pivotal meeting transpired.
Key Features of the Belém Declaration:
- Establish a framework for cooperative action between the Amazon basin’s nations.
- Enhance law enforcement to curb illegal activities, including unauthorized mining and logging.
- Forge partnerships between banks to consolidate funds directed towards conservation and sustainable employment.
- Initiate an Amazon-focused scientific panel centering on climate.
Amazon’s Critical Role in Global Climate Health
The Amazon rainforest stands as not only a sanctuary for biodiversity but also as a vanguard in the battle against climate change. Through its natural processes, the forest extracts vast quantities of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas, and locks it away. Alarmingly, the past fifty years have witnessed the decimation of approximately 17% of this pristine forest. Further encroachments risk transforming parts of the forest into sources rather than absorbers of greenhouse gases. Some regions, as studies have highlighted, might have already crossed this threshold.
The Push for Global Coordination
Beyond the primary summit agenda, discussions anticipated a subsequent agreement involving other nations boasting significant rainforests, such as Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal is to foster global alignment in rainforest conservation efforts. This expected collaboration might also encompass endeavors to increase financial support from affluent countries, promoting the sustainable utilization of forests.
Foundational work for this extended partnership was previously laid out during the COP27 global climate summit, sponsored by the United Nations in Egypt. The city of Belém, the backdrop for the Amazon negotiations, is also slated to be the venue for COP30 in 2025.
Learn more about the COP27 summit and its outcomes here.
Domestic and International Challenges
While Mr. Lula has championed the cause of Amazon conservation, evidenced by the 42% reduction in deforestation rates since he assumed office, not all his initiatives saw success. Notably, his endeavors to secure commitments from Bolivia and Venezuela to halt deforestation by 2030 met resistance, as did his attempts to align with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro’s push against oil drilling in the forest.
Eduardo Viola, an expert in environmental international affairs, lauds the summit as the most significant step by Amazon countries towards conservation but remains apprehensive about its effectiveness.
International Pressure and Calls for More Action
The Amazonian countries’ failure to consent to a legally binding treaty on forest conservation, especially when the Amazon rainforest’s degradation stands at a critical 17%, has stirred concerns in the global community. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera’s Latin America editor, remarked on the palpable urgency felt among the nation leaders at the summit.
Home to approximately 10% of the world’s biodiversity and a population of 50 million, the Amazon acts as a significant carbon sink, mitigating global warming. Scientists caution that its continued degradation might soon push it past a “tipping point,” leading to dire consequences for global climate health.
Environmentalists, activists, and Indigenous groups, in an attempt to sway the state heads, rallied outside the summit venue, championing more aggressive actions.
This assembly marked the first summit in 14 years for the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), established in 1995. The gathering is also perceived as a precursor to the upcoming 2025 United Nations climate dialogues, scheduled to be held in Belem.
