The G20 Bioeconomy Initiative brings together international representatives to discuss sustainable solutions that strike a balance between forest preservation and economic development. The debates highlight the crucial role of the Amazon and the participation of local communities in the process.
The importance of preserving the forest for economic development and addressing the effects of the climate crisis dominated the debates at the start of the G20 Bioeconomy Initiative meeting on Monday (17) in Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Representatives from the forum's member countries, international organizations, and national governments cooperated towards creating a framework on the subject.
According to Carina Pimenta, Bioeconomy Secretary at the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA), the debates are important to facilitate the process of identifying alternatives for the sustainable use of the forest. Pimenta emphasized that, because these areas have historically been protected by traditional peoples and communities, they must be at the center of discussions about economic and sustainable alternatives. "Some of the innovations we are discussing at the G20 are critical for tropical, forest, and mega-diverse countries to benefit from bioeconomy in the future," she stated.
"The bioeconomy debate in Brasil is driven by the search for answers in the Amazon region and the need for an economy that uses our natural capital sustainably, with workable alternatives that preserve and replenish the biomes-including the Amazon. These issues should also be at the forefront of our development strategies," she added.
Commitment from the developed countries
"While a burnt or cut-down forest generates loss, a preserved forest offers benefits to the entire world. Also, the developed nations must fulfill their commitments to provide resources for the preservation of tropical forests around the world," said Rodrigo Rollemberg, Secretary for Green Economy at Brasil's Ministry of Development, Industry, and Trade, highlighting the country's strategic role in reducing carbon emissions worldwide.
"Brasil has a different emissions profile from the rest of the world. Today, most of our emissions come from deforestation. In a few years' time, [the main actions] responsible for reducing emissions will be the elimination of illegal deforestation and large-scale restoration and reforestation projects," said Rollemberg.
The Amazon at the center of global debates
State governor Wilson Lima highlighted the importance of bringing global discussions to the region and emphasized the importance of including the perspectives of local populations. "We have a great opportunity for those who live in the Amazon to tell the story of the Amazon from their perspective," said the governor, emphasizing the region's vital role in the global climate balance.
Lima underscored that, while the region is not the primary cause of climate change in the world, Amazonians are eager to contribute to solutions. He also stressed the Amazon's strategic importance in regulating rainfall and storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide. "The bioeconomy is a safe way for us to give opportunities to our population," Lima stated, emphasizing the importance of aligning global environmental agendas with local realities in order to achieve sustainable development.
Matias Cardomingo, from the Ministry of Finance, and Leandro Pedron, from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) also participated in the opening ceremony.
