The presidents of Brazil and France announced a plan to invest 1 billion euros in the Amazon, including parts of the jungle in neighboring French Guiana, AP reported, quoted by BTA.
The governments of the two countries said in a joint statement that the money would be used over the next four years to protect the forest. It will be a collaboration between Brazilian state banks and the French investment agency. Private resources would also be welcome, Brazil and France said.
French President Emmanuel Macron began his three-day visit to Brazil from the city of Belém, where he met with his longtime ally Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They went by boat to Kombu Island to meet with native leaders.
Macron awarded the prestigious Order of the Legion of Honor to Indian chief Raoni Metukire for his efforts to protect the environment. "You were in Europe and I promised to come here, in your forest, and be with your people,", Macron told the indigenous leader, as quoted by French radio EFF. "President Lula and I have a common cause. for one of our friends in this land that belongs to you," he added.
Lula and Macron will seek to "determine a common course" to fight both climate change and poverty, the Elysée Palace said. Brazil will host the summit of the Group of 20 leading economies in Rio de Janeiro in November and the UN climate talks in Belem next year.
Today, Macron and Lula will launch a diesel submarine built in Brazil using French technology at the Itaguay shipyard near Rio de Janeiro. The French president will then head to the metropolis of Sao Paulo to meet with Brazilian investors. Tomorrow, the French president will head to the capital, Brazil, to meet Lula again.