Brasilia (EFE).- The special envoy for the climate of the United States, John Kerry, will be received this Monday by Brazilian authorities, in which it will be the first step to begin to fine-tune policies to combat the climate crisis between both countries.
Brazilian official sources explained that Kerry’s visit will give “immediate follow-up” to what was discussed in Washington by Presidents Joe Biden and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who visited the White House on the 10th with an agenda of high environmental content.
Kerry’s first commitment will be this Monday, at the Foreign Ministry, where he will be received by the Brazilian Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, and the Environment Minister, Marina Silva, who accompanied Lula on his visit to Washington.
One of Brazil’s objectives, already negotiated with Biden but which will depend on the approval of the US Parliament, is for the United States to join the Amazon Fund, made up of donations from Norway and Germany and aimed at financing actions against deforestation in the largest lung plant of the planet
In addition, as reported by the United States Embassy in Brazil, they will discuss joint positions with a view to the participation of both countries in international forums and a possible cooperation in “the transition to clean energy” and “the construction of a strong bioeconomy.”
Although they have not yet confirmed it, official sources told EFE that it is “very likely” that Lula will also receive Biden, for a more “political” and “strategic” conversation.
Contribution to the Brazilian Amazon
The Amazon Fund was established in 2009, during the second of Lula’s terms, and it functioned until 2019, when the government of the far-right Jair Bolsonaro decided to deactivate it, without explaining the reasons, but in the midst of the implementation of policies that promoted mining and other economic activities in the region.
Lula, who assumed power on January 1, repealed these policies on his first day in office and determined the reactivation of the Amazon Fund, to which he now also wants to attract the United States and France, among other economic powers.
Currently, the Amazon Fund has about 1,000 million dollars contributed by Norway and Germany, and the expectation is that the United States will join with an initial donation of 50 million dollars.
Kerry will be in Brazil for two days and his agenda also includes meetings with other government authorities, with representatives of Parliament and with civil society organizations that work in the Amazon and in other ecosystems in the country.
From Brazil, the US official will go to Panama, where he will participate in the “Our Oceans” conference, which will bring together government delegations, private companies and civil society for three days.