Once again, the institutionalization of PARLAMAZ within the framework of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty was on the agenda, while the bioeconomy was discussed as a strategic approach for the Amazon region. During the session, a new Vice-President representing Ecuador was elected, with parliamentarian Gissela Cecibel chosen for the position.
The Brazilian delegation presented draft motions of support for the three Integrated Management Networks of the Amazonian Countries within the framework of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), one of which concerns integrated fire management (link). At the same time, the first meeting of the Amazon Network for Integrated Fire Management, coordinated by ACTO, was taking place in Lima. The Colombian delegation also presented a proposed declaration of support for Biodiversity COP16, to be held in Cali, Colombia, and Climate COP29, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan (link). All texts were unanimously approved.
The President of PARLAMAZ, Senator Nelsinho Trad, reported that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) had contacted PARLAMAZ to contribute to discussions on fire management during the ordinary session of the Committee on Forestry, scheduled for July 22–26.
The representative of Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister João Marcelo de Queiroz Galvão, stated that, with regard to the institutionalization of PARLAMAZ and in accordance with the principle of consensus, the process should be gradual, as it is important to assess the nature of the relationship that may be established between the Parliament and the Organization. He also reported that the tenth meeting of ACTO Ministers of Foreign Affairs had been held in Brasília and that a resolution concerning this matter had been adopted.
From this Ordinary Meeting onward, parliamentarians began to refer to PARLAMAZ as a parliamentary group that serves as an instrument for facilitating decisions within national legal systems, a forum for discussing issues relevant to the Amazon, and, above all, a group that fosters synergies for the formulation and implementation of public policies benefiting the Amazon across the member countries. Through Congresswoman Karol Paredes, PARLAMAZ Vice-President representing Peru, the Congress of Peru reported that a national PARLAMAZ chapter had been established within the Peruvian Congress. Several parliamentarians praised the initiative as a major step towards the institutionalization of PARLAMAZ and one that should be followed by the other countries.
International Cooperation: Professor Carlos Young of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro presented the bioeconomy as an opportunity and as a framework grounded in ethical and normative values. He highlighted the importance of international agreements in advancing the bioeconomy, with particular emphasis on changing the design and implementation of infrastructure projects to meet the population’s basic needs. Examples include high-quality connectivity, efficient transport services, and robust information systems to improve the trade of products. He also emphasized the importance of recognizing the knowledge accumulated by forest peoples and taking current regenerative practices into account. In his view, the Amazon remains far from the scientific and technological frontier of the contemporary bioeconomy in sectors such as timber, non-timber forest products, fisheries and aquaculture, agroforestry, tourism, and payments for environmental services. Finally, he identified the challenge of restoring security against those who invade protected areas, Indigenous territories, and public lands; making better use of intelligence; fostering cooperation among national security forces; and tracing the origin of illegally mined gold. He stressed the importance of public policy proposals capable of responding immediately to violence, illegality, the destruction of knowledge, and the deterioration of the living conditions of Amazonian populations, and suggested that the decisions adopted at COP16 should move in this direction.
