- The leaders of Brazil and France announced plans to invest $1.1 billion over four years in the Amazon rainforest, which includes French Guiana.
- Brazilian state-owned banks and French investment institutions will participate in the investment.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are seeking to boost trade after years of tensions.
The presidents of Brazil and France on Tuesday announced plans to invest $1.1 billion in the Amazon, which includes parts of the rainforest in neighboring French Guiana.
The two governments announced in a joint statement that the funds will be distributed over the next four years to protect rainforests. The deal will be a collaboration between Brazil’s state-owned bank and a French investment institution. BRAZIL and FRANCE said private resources are also welcome.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva this week restored ties after years of friction with former President Jair Bolsonaro, aiming to protect rainforests and boost trade. We will hold talks to deepen cooperation.
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest faces severe drought, affecting food and water supplies for thousands of people
President Macron began his three-day visit to Brazil from the Amazonian city of Belem, where he met with his longtime ally Lula. The French president then took a boat to Combou Island to meet with indigenous leaders.
The heart of the Amazon. Photographed on March 15, 2020. The presidents of Brazil and France on Tuesday announced plans to invest $1.1 billion in the Amazon, which includes parts of the rainforest in neighboring French Guiana. (Florence Goissenar/AFP via Getty Images)
Both Mr. Macron and Mr. Lula witnessed a protest by Greenpeace Brazil, which held a banner reading “No oil in the Amazon.” The Brazilian government is considering allowing oil drilling in areas near the state of Para, where Belém is located.
In his speech, Lula said Macron’s visit was part of a global effort to strengthen protection of rainforests.
Speaking next to the French president, Lula said: “I want to convince those who are already deforesting that in order for their forests to survive they need to contribute in an important way to the countries that still have them.” Told.
Macron’s office earlier said a potential European trade deal with Mercosur was not on the agenda. After farmers raised concerns during protests in France and across Europe, the French president said he would oppose such a deal unless South American producers respect the same environmental and health standards as Europeans. There is.
The President of France has awarded the prestigious Legion of Honour to indigenous leader Raoni Métoucutile in recognition of his efforts to protect the rainforest.
“You were in Europe, but I’m here in your forest and I promised you that I would be with my people in this coveted forest,” French radio RFI said. ” he said. “President Lula and I have a common cause for one of your friends in this land.”
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With Brazil scheduled to host the 20-nation summit in Rio de Janeiro and the UN climate change talks in Belem in November, Lula and Macron called for a “common path forward” to combat both climate change and poverty. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said the aim is to “build up a stronghold.” next year.
Mr Macron and Mr Lula are scheduled to launch a diesel-powered submarine built in Brazil using French technology on Wednesday at the Itaguay shipyard outside Rio de Janeiro. The French president will then head to the big city of São Paulo to meet with Brazilian investors. On Thursday, the French president will travel to Brasilia for another meeting with Lula.
