Restoration in the Amazon: what is at stake, what policies are necessary and how to involve the private sector?

On Tuesday, February 28, the World Bank, through the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Program (ASL) with resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) organized the event "Restoration in the Amazon: what is at stake, what policies are needed and how to involve the private sector”. The event brought together parliamentarians from Brazil, Colombia and Peru with scientific authorities and representatives of the private sector.

Parliamentarians from Brazil, Colombia and Peru were present at the event 

Parliamentary representation included: 

  

• On behalf of Brazil: representatives Arnaldo Jardim, Carlos Gomes, Fred Costa, Pedro Aihara, Zé Silva, Zé Vitor, and Senator Nelsinho Trad 

• On behalf of Colombia: Senator Nicolás Echeverri and representatives: Yénica Acosta, Carlos Ardila, Andrés Cancimance, Mauricio Cuéllar and Jorge Méndez 

• From Peru: congresspeople Arturo Alegría, Jeny López and Karol Paredes, who is also vice president of the Amazon Parliament 

Representatives of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon, Santander Bank and eleven parliamentarians from the three countries, plus representatives of the World Bank and ICCF, met to discuss the current situation in the Amazon and ongoing initiatives to restore previously degraded ecosystems. The event's overall objective was to underscore the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and local communities to promote strategies that protect, restore, and conserve Amazonian ecosystems, while addressing the climate crisis. One of the primary concerns was how the legislation of the countries of the Amazon region could create conditions to promote such integrated forest restoration strategies with sustainable economic activities on a scale that is transformative in the long term, with public and private investment. 

Parliamentarians participated in different ways: in person, virtually, through their advisers or through pre-recorded videos. The event was moderated by Jaime Cavelier from ICCF and included the participation of members of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon, Carlos Nobre, Nathália Nascimento, Pedro Brancalion, as well as Leonardo Fleck from Santander Bank.

During the meeting, representatives of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon reported on the current state of conservation and degradation of the Amazon and highlighted the need to promote restoration processes at the regional level, articulated with efforts to control deforestation, as well as the protection and recovery of protected areas. The representative of the Santander Bank highlighted the growing momentum of the private sector in supporting regeneration in strategic areas, which can be capitalized through collective action with governments, and where political decisions prevail that guarantee the scaling and sustainability of said efforts. 

Consequently, the parliamentarians echoed this purpose, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to effectively address the climate challenges facing the Amazon region. They also highlighted the need to recognize that many ongoing activities in the Amazon are crucial to sustaining the livelihoods of local people, and that restoration initiatives must consider their needs and rights. 

The event made it possible to move forward on the necessary dialogue to promote restoration efforts in the region, bringing together diverse perspectives and knowledge to create a future agenda that benefits the region. Collaboration and a shared vision are essential to ensure a sustainable future for the Amazon and its communities. This regional meeting of parliamentarians builds on the in-person meeting held in the department of Putumayo in Colombia between November 9 and 10, 2022, financed by the World Bank through the ASL.