Joe Biden arrived in the Brazilian city of Manaus this Sunday and became the first United States president to visit the Amazon during his term, while announcing that the United States has exceeded its commitment to dedicate more than 11 billion annually to climate financing.
This represents a more than six-fold increase on the level of money allocated to these projects in 2021 to help vulnerable countries cope with the effects of climate change and strengthen the conservation of environmental resources.
Biden took a helicopter tour of the Amazon, including examples of natural refuges and places deforested or affected by erosion, escorted by Black Hawk helicopters and accompanied by John Podesta, special adviser to the president for clean energy issues and climate innovation.
He also entered an area of Amazonian forest on foot in the Adolpho Ducke forest reserve, one of the most important environmental sanctuaries in Brazil, to speak with local and indigenous leaders, surrounded by strong security measures.
Biden announced in Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon, a contribution of $50 million to the Amazon Fund, a Brazilian conservation initiative considered the lungs of the planet.
This new amount would raise the total US contribution to that fund to 100 million dollars, but the last 50 million are subject to the approval of the United States Congress, which from January will be controlled by the Republicans, led by the President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to end “the great green scam” and bet on fossil fuel energy.
The Biden Administration also announced from Manaus support for several tropical forest conservation projects and funds, as well as innovative solutions in the green economy and investments in economic sectors focused on the climate emergency.
Among others, he announced the launch of the Coalition for Financing Restoration and the Bioeconomy in Brazil, a project made up of the US, the Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual and twelve other partners, which aims to mobilize at least 10 billion dollars in public and private investment for land restoration and bioeconomy-related projects by 2030.
Biden arrived in Manaus from Lima, where he participated in the meeting of leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and this Sunday he leaves for Rio de Janeiro, where on Monday and Tuesday he will participate in the G20 summit. EFE
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* How have indigenous communities and environmental groups in the Amazon region reacted to President Biden’s visit and his pledges of support? [[1](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-makes-historic-visit-amazon-rainforest/story?id=115951084)]
## World Today News: Biden’s Historic Visit to the Amazon
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’ll be discussing President Biden’s recent visit to the Amazon rainforest, a historical first for a sitting U.S. president. We are joined by two distinguished guests:
**Dr. Ana Silva**, a leading researcher in Amazonian biodiversity and climate change at the University of São Paulo
**Mr. David Thompson**, an expert on U.S. foreign policy and international climate negotiations at the Center for American Progress.
**Part 1: The Significance of the Visit**
* **Dr. Silva,** President Biden’s visit comes at a critical time for the Amazon rainforest. Could you elaborate on the urgency of preserving this ecosystem and what signals this visit sends to the international community?
* **Mr. Thompson,** how does this visit align with the Biden Administration’s broader foreign policy goals, particularly in the context of climate change and international relations?
* **Both guests,** some have argued that this visit is primarily symbolic whereas concrete action is needed. How much weight do symbolic gestures like this carry in the fight against climate change and deforestation?
**Part 2: Investing in the Amazon**
* **Dr. Silva,** the U.S. pledged an additional $50 million to the Amazon Fund, bringing the total contribution to $100 million. What impact can this financial support have on the ground, and what are some of the key challenges in effectively utilizing these funds?
* **Mr. Thompson**, this funding faces potential hurdles in the U.S. Congress, especially with a shift in political party control. How might these political dynamics impact long-term U.S. commitment to the Amazon Fund?
* **Both guests,** beyond financial aid, what types of non-financial support are crucial for safeguarding the Amazon, and what role can international collaboration play in these efforts?
**Part 3: The Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development**
* **Dr. Silva,** President Biden mentioned support for sustainable development initiatives like the bioeconomy. What are the potential benefits and challenges of promoting economic activities within the Amazon rainforest while ensuring environmental sustainability?
* **Mr. Thompson,** how can we ensure that these bioeconomy projects prioritize local communities and indigenous populations, respecting their rights and traditional knowledge?
* **Both guests,** in your opinion, what are the key takeaways from President Biden’s visit to the Amazon rainforest, and what are the next steps needed to translate these promises into tangible results?
We thank Dr. Silva and Mr. Thompson for their insights and valuable contributions to this discussion. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of global affairs and climate change here at World Today News.
