Leaders from eight Amazon rainforest nations recently convened in Belem, Brazil, to address critical challenges facing the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. The two-day Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) summit, which took place on August 8 and 9, aimed to discuss pressing issues such as deforestation, climate change, and sustainable development. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva referred to this summit as a “landmark” gathering, emphasizing its significance in shaping the future of the Amazon and the global green transition.
The participating countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, collaborated to find comprehensive solutions for the Amazon’s preservation. The summit was held against the backdrop of President Lula’s commitment to halt Amazon deforestation by 2030, a stark departure from the lax approach taken by his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. The eight participating nations belong to the newly revived Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). Their aim is to create a united front to ensure their collective voice is heard on the global stage, particularly in anticipation of the COP 28 climate conference scheduled for November 2023.
President Lula, in his opening speech, highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for joint action to protect the Amazon. He stated, “The challenge of our era and the opportunities that arise will demand joint action.” The Amazon rainforest, spanning eight countries and one territory and covering an area twice the size of India, plays a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis. Silva’s strategy to leverage international attention for Amazon preservation received a boost from the summit. With a notable 42% reduction in deforestation during his initial seven months in office, Lula is now actively seeking international financial support to safeguard the rainforest.
Atmospheric chemist Luciana Gatti, a researcher for Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research, underlined the consequences of deforestation on the climate. She pointed out that deforestation contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, leading to reduced rainfall and higher temperatures. Scientists have also warned that severe consequences await if 20% to 25% of the forest is destroyed. This level of deforestation would lead to a drastic decline in rainfall, potentially transforming more than half of the rainforest into a tropical savannah, accompanied by substantial biodiversity loss. While some groups like the Climate Observatory, Greenpeace, and The Nature Conservancy lamented the absence of detailed commitments in the declaration, Colombian Indigenous Leader Fany Kuiru praised it for recognizing Indigenous rights and establishing a mechanism for their participation within ACTO.
The summit concluded with a declaration signed by leaders and ministers from the participating Amazon nations. The declaration outlined plans to balance economic development in their respective countries while preventing irreversible damage to the Amazon ecosystem. While some environmental groups criticized the declaration for lacking specific commitments and measurable goals, others praised it as a significant step toward addressing the challenges facing the Amazon. The umbrella organization of Indigenous groups in the Amazon also welcomed the declaration, noting that it incorporated two of their main demands. The WWF, an international environmental organization, highlighted the importance of recognizing the science and urgency of the Amazon’s predicament. However, the WWF expressed regret that the Amazonian countries did not collectively agree on a plan to end deforestation in the region.
In addition to the Amazonian nations, the summit saw the participation of leaders from the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as representatives from Indonesia and France. Norway, a significant contributor to Brazil’s Amazon Fund for sustainable development, also sent an emissary to join the discussions. While the summit did not result in concrete commitments to end deforestation, it marked a crucial step forward in acknowledging the challenges and urgent actions required to protect the Amazon rainforest. As the global community continues to grapple with the climate crisis, the Amazon Summit serves as a reminder of the collaborative efforts needed to preserve one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.
