By Bianca Oliveira
SAO PAULO – The Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) launched the Fund for Sustainable Development and the Amazon Bioeconomy during the 61st Assembly of Governors, held virtually. The initial investment of US $ 20 million is aimed at promoting more sustainable development models and the total is expected to reach US $ 1 billion.
The President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, participated in the event and defended sustainable development and the participation of the private sector as “fundamental in the realization of projects”.
“The public sector is a decisive actor in the process of sustainable development in the Amazon. The Fund will act out of respect for national priorities and the sovereign interests of each country. But we cannot give up the versatility, innovation and investment capacity of the private sector, which will be fundamental in carrying out projects ”.
The Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, recorded a video for the event in which he argues that the Amazon should be seen as a space with real investment opportunities.
“The sustainable use of forest resources, whether for wood production or tourism, generates income and jobs for local communities and brings new allies to combat illegal deforestation”, he highlighted.
The appeal to private initiative was also made by Minister Hamilton Mourão at the World Economic Forum, in January. In an interview with Dire news agency, the executive secretary of the Observatório do Clima (Climate Observatory), Marcio Astrini, affirms that the appeal to international actors goes against the government’s actions in the national territory.
“The government acts to create a speech, an appearance that can tell the world that it is concerned. In calling companies or whatever to do what he does not do, he is being hypocritical, as the government has hundreds of measures against the environment ”. Among the retrenchment actions cited by Astrini is the reduction in the Budget for the Environment in 2021, which should be approved this week.