President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated on Wednesday that the “world must help” Brazil protect the Amazon, ahead of a summit next week on the world’s largest rainforest, which serves as a critical buffer against climate change.
“We know we have a responsibility to convince the world that investing is cheap if it’s a matter of saving the rainforest,” the veteran leftist told a breakfast meeting with AFP and other international media.
“The world needs to help us preserve and develop the Amazon,” he said, in response to a question on how to balance the need for economic development in the Amazon region with protecting the forest.
Lula and other leaders from countries with territory in the vast Amazon are expected to gather next week in the Brazilian city of Belem to discuss adopting measures to conserve the jungle, which is being severely harmed by deforestation.
It will be the first gathering of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization’s eight members since 2009.
According to official estimates, deforestation in Brazil’s 60% part of the Amazon decreased by 33.6 percent year on year from January to June, the first six months of Lula’s presidency.
The degradation of the rainforest had accelerated under his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), who presided over a spike in annual deforestation of more than 75 percent over the preceding decade.
Lula stated that he intends to collaborate with other Amazon basin leaders to “share research on the region’s biodiversity” and to find solutions for people to “work without destroying” the delicate ecosystem.
Lula, 77, who previously led Brazil from 2003 to 2010, also expressed his desire to help Ukraine reach a peace agreement.
Russia and Ukraine are both “in the ‘I’m going to win’ stage.” “In the meantime, people are dying,” he remarked.
He also advocated for the expansion of the BRICS group of rising economies, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
He suggested that the group should consider inviting new members to its forthcoming summit in South Africa later this month, naming Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Argentina as potential candidates.
