Convened by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the meeting is aimed at the Amazonian countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) to consolidate a unified position on the preservation of the biome to be presented at the next world climate summit (COP28), in November.

In addition to the Amazonian States, representatives from Indonesia, France, Norway and Germany are expected to attend the meeting.

The summit, which will last until next Wednesday, will be the fourth meeting of the group. Such meetings are provided for in the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), signed on July 3, 1978.

According to the Federal Government, one of the objectives of the forum is to strengthen the ACTO, which is based in Brasilia.

The intention is that the entity can support the countries of the region in the implementation of initiatives and projects necessary for the sustainable development of the area.

Foreign and environment ministers are finalizing on Monday the details of the so-called Belém Declaration, which will initially consist of some 130 items and will include a plan to conserve the so-called lungs of the planet.

jg/arm/mgt/ocs