RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s Vice-President Hamilton Mourão, on February 2nd, advocated a new development model for the Amazon. Early in the evening, Mourão joined a meeting of the Judiciary Environmental Observatory, promoted by the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
As president of the Amazon Council, a body established to unify government actions in the region, Mourão said that in addition to fighting deforestation, investment in science and technology are required for the region’s development. According to the Vice-President, although the region is wealthy in natural diversity, there is no biopharmaceutical industry in the Amazon.
“We need to achieve a new development model for the Amazon. What does it involve? The fostering of research and innovation. We need to chart and expand productive chains, value chains, enabling a consolidation of industrial activity and, obviously, investment in science, technology and innovation”, he said.
During the meeting, Mourão also announced the results of the council’s efforts last year.
“What were the preliminary results? First, a slowdown in deforestation, albeit not enough to fully celebrate yet. But from June last year until December 31st, in these seven months, we managed to reduce deforestation by 17%, when compared to the same period in 2019”, he said.
The Amazon Council has the task of coordinating federal initiatives in the Amazon region, including cooperation with states, municipalities and civil society.
The Council comprises, in addition to the Vice-President, representatives of 14 Federal Cabinet Ministries: Presidential Chief of Staff, Justice and Public Safety, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Mines and Energy, Science and Technology, Environment, Regional Development, General Secretariat of the Presidency, Government Secretariat, and Institutional Security Office of the Presidency.
Source: Agencia Brazil