Lula: Amazon countries should lead preservation efforts
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today (Jan. 24) said that, welcome though international cooperation is, it is the role of the nations in the region to lead Amazon preservation projects. Lula was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the seventh summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC.
“Cooperation from outside our region is welcome, but it is the countries making up these biomes that should lead, in a sovereign manner, the initiatives to care for the Amazon. This is why we must value our Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization,” said Lula.
Lula went on to say he will soon convene a summit of Amazon countries, adding that Brazil has already made formal the candidacy of Belém city to host the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations on Climate Change (COP30) in 2025. “The support we are receiving from CELAC countries is indispensable for us to show the rest of the world how rich our biodiversity is and the potential of sustainable development and green economy—besides, of course, the role of preserving the environment and fighting climate change,” he stated.
In Lula’s view, the region has a great deal to contribute to the construction of a peaceful world order based on dialogue and multilateralism. Global challenges and “multiple crises,” he went on, require collective responses, including in situations marked by pandemics, threats to democracy, and pressure on food and energy security.
“As we know, most of these challenges are global in nature and require collective responses. We do not want to bring private rivalries and problems into the region. On the contrary, we want to be part of the solution to challenges that belong to everyone,” he stressed.
During his opening speech at the meeting, Argentinian President Alberto Fernández welcomed the representatives of the 33 CELAC member countries and asked for a round of applause to celebrate the return of Brazil. “A CELAC without Brazil is less than complete. Your presence today makes us one,” he said, addressing Lula. The assembly brought an end to Argentina’s pro tempore presidency of the group. The new presidency is held by St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
