Lula pledges ‘new Amazon dream’ at first Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation meeting in 14 years

 

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has vowed to haul the Amazon out of centuries of violence, economic “plundering” and environmental devastation and into “a new Amazon dream”, at the start of a major regional summit on the world’s largest rainforest.

He said that he hopes the summit will spur it to start taking far-reaching and effective action.

Amazon rainforest nation leaders met Tuesday for the first time in 14 years to find common ground on fueling economic development while protecting an ecosystem vital to the battle against climate change.

Addressing South American leaders gathered in the Brazilian city of Belém, Lula offered a bold blueprint for the future of the Amazon – 60% of which lies within Brazil. He promised to improve his country’s environmental reputation after “disastrous” years under his predecessor.