South America: Seven countries close pact for the protection of the Amazon

Seven countries from South America have agreed on a common strategy for environmental protection and sustainable development in the Amazon region. Representatives from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname and Guyana signed the Leticia Pact for the Amazon. "Amazonia is our heritage, subject to our sovereignty, but we can share it with the world," said Colombian President Iván Duque. "It's a treasure we all have to guard together."

Duque welcomed the region's government officials to the Leticia Amazon Summit in a traditional hut of indigenous communities in the jungle. "In recent years, we've lost thousands of acres of rainforest because illegally created new pasture and arable land," said Duque. The protection of the rainforest must be improved. "This is critical to the survival of our planet."

Nicolas Galeano / Presidencia Colombia / DPA

Colombian President Duque hugs an indigenous man on the sidelines of the meeting with heads of state and government of the countries in the region

With the agreement, the countries agreed on concrete actions to protect the Amazon rainforest. "There is nothing left to say, because the signatures must now be acted on," said Ecuador's leader Lenin Moreno. His colleague Evo Morales said people need to return to a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. However, the left-wing president had recently come under criticism himself, because he reacted only very hesitantly, as burned in recent weeks, huge areas in Bolivia.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was unable to attend the summit in person due to an upcoming operation and was videoconferred. He defended his environmental policy and again accused countries like France of interfering in the internal affairs of Brazil.

"This pact is very special, we are being watched by the whole world and some believe that we are not able to manage the wonderful nature of the Amazon," said Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo after signing the agreement. "With this document we prove that we are capable and that we work together for the protection and rational development of the region."

More about SPIEGEL +

Ueslei Marcelino / REUTERSBrandrodung in the Amazon "The forest is worth nothing, but from the wood can make money"

The whole Amazon is currently suffering from numerous fires. In the opinion of environmentalists, farmers usually set fire to deforested land in order to create new pastureland. In the current dry season, however, the flames also repeatedly resort to intact forest areas. Bolsonaro, in particular, recently came under international criticism for promoting the economic use of the rainforest, which is important for the global climate.

Vocal insert from Ecuador's president

Ecuador's President Moreno used an unusual remedy at the Amazon summit to speak to his colleagues in the region. When it was his turn to comment, he began the song "Pare" (Father) by the Catalan singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat. It is about environmental destruction and depletion of nature.

"Father, the river is no more a river, the forest is not a forest anymore, there is no wax and no honey," says the song. "Father, tomorrow blood will rain from the sky." His colleagues applauded Moreno after the presentation.