The 4th Meeting of the Presidents of the States Parties to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty is taking place in Belém, capital of Pará, with participation of all eight signatory countries of the instrument (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela).

Also attending the summit are representatives of guest nations and international institutions, including the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).

The presidential meeting was preceded by the Amazon Dialogue (August 4-6), whose program included more than 300 civil society events.

The results of the discussions will be presented to the heads of State or Government of the Amazon countries, in an initiative that promotes social participation in the highest level segment of the summit.

As part of the forum, a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Environment was held on Monday, as a preparatory event for the presidential meeting.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that at the end of the summit, the Amazonian territories will adopt the so-called Declaration of Belém, which establishes a new common agenda for regional cooperation in favor of the sustainable development of the rain forest.

That position conciliates the protection of the biome and the hydrographic basin, social inclusion, the promotion of science, technology and innovation, stimulus to the local economy and valorization of the indigenous peoples and their ancestral knowledge.

Another objective of the meeting, which will close on Wednesday, is to strengthen ACTO so that it can have the capacity to support the nations of the region in carrying out the initiatives and projects necessary for the region’s sustainable development.

jg/ybc/oda/ocs