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Rich 'should help Amazon forests' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nine nations in the Amazon region have called on rich countries to provide poorer nations with the funds to preserve forests. | |
The nations, meeting in Manaus, Brazil, also discussed supporting a 40% reduction in global emissions by 2020. | |
The meeting comes shortly before the key global summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark. | |
The Amazon nations agreed on broad principles rather than concrete steps, correspondents said. | |
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva chaired the meeting of delegates from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela and Surinam, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy representing French Guiana. | |
Slowing deforestation | |
Presidents Sarkozy and Lula said richer nations must increase their aid to help the poorer countries fight global warming. | Presidents Sarkozy and Lula said richer nations must increase their aid to help the poorer countries fight global warming. |
"The poor need to be supported without any country giving up its sovereignty," President Lula said. | "The poor need to be supported without any country giving up its sovereignty," President Lula said. |
Let no gringo [foreigner] ask us to let an Amazonian starve to death under a tree President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva | Let no gringo [foreigner] ask us to let an Amazonian starve to death under a tree President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva |
The BBC's Paulo Cabral reports from Manaus that for the past few days diplomats have been negotiating a common position to be presented by the Amazon countries and France at the conference in Copenhagen. | The BBC's Paulo Cabral reports from Manaus that for the past few days diplomats have been negotiating a common position to be presented by the Amazon countries and France at the conference in Copenhagen. |
The common statement agreed in Brazil establishes broad principles rather than fresh or concrete proposals, he adds. | |
He says most of the presidents invited did not come to Manaus, though diplomats say that the ministers and ambassadors sent in their place were in a position to close a deal. | |
Brazil proposed fighting deforestation in the Amazon basin with financial backing from wealthy nations. | |
"Let no gringo [foreigner] ask us to let an Amazonian starve to death under a tree," Mr Lula said in a speech ahead of the meeting. | "Let no gringo [foreigner] ask us to let an Amazonian starve to death under a tree," Mr Lula said in a speech ahead of the meeting. |
"We want to preserve [the forests], but [other countries] have to pay for that preservation." | |
At the summit, the Brazilian government presented its efforts to reduce destruction in the Amazon as a key part of its strategy to combat climate change. | |
Earlier this month, Brazil's government said the rate of deforestation in the Amazon had dropped by 45% - and was the lowest on record since monitoring began 21 years ago. | Earlier this month, Brazil's government said the rate of deforestation in the Amazon had dropped by 45% - and was the lowest on record since monitoring began 21 years ago. |
It said that just over 7,000 sq km (2,700 square miles) had been destroyed between July 2008 and August 2009. Brazil is seeking an 80% reduction in the deforestation rate by 2020. | It said that just over 7,000 sq km (2,700 square miles) had been destroyed between July 2008 and August 2009. Brazil is seeking an 80% reduction in the deforestation rate by 2020. |
The environmental group Greenpeace has welcomed the latest drop but says there is still too much destruction in the rainforest. | The environmental group Greenpeace has welcomed the latest drop but says there is still too much destruction in the rainforest. |
Earlier this month, Brazil said it aimed to cut its carbon emissions by at least 36% below 1990 levels by 2020. | Earlier this month, Brazil said it aimed to cut its carbon emissions by at least 36% below 1990 levels by 2020. |