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A special dialogue on urban Amazonia, the region encompassing the world’s largest rainforest, and one of only three global hotspots for biocultural diversity. Its vast expanse crosses nine countries (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana) and countless cities with an estimated 50 million people. According to the 2010 census carried out by the IBGE, 72% of the population of the Brazilian Amazon resides in urban centers, contributing to the complexity of its management.
Given this scenario, it is imperative to place the sustainable development of the Amazon’s urban areas at the heart of our conservation and adaptation strategies. In addition, the region’s cities are currently facing significant challenges in terms of social vulnerability and precarious public services, under pressure from growing populations and their environmental demands.
This plenary of the ICLEI World Congress 2024 marks a decisive moment to promote ambitious, integrated and urgent sustainable policies, encouraging collaboration between local governments via platforms such as the Forum of Amazon Cities (FCA) institutionalized in 2023, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Speakers
- Ana Costa, Superintendent of the Social Development and Public Management Area of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) – video message
- Ana Lucia Reis, Mayor of Cobija, Bolivia
- Antonio da Costa e Silva, Head of International Affairs of the Ministry of Cities, Brazil
- David Almeida, Mayor of Manaus, Brazil (invited)
- Edmilson Rodrigues, Mayor of Belém
- Hélinah Cardoso, Director of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, GCoM
- Janet Yvone C. Vasquez, Mayor of Coronel Portillo, Pucallpa
- Luz Marina Mantilla, Director of Instituto Sinchi, Colombia
- Maria Cecília Zenezokemaero, Brazilian Environmental Activist
- Vanessa Grazziotin, Executive Director of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, OTCA
Moderator
- Rodrigo Perpetuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America
Session flow
Welcome & introduction
- Rodrigo Perpetuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America
Keynote: Amazon territories at the heart of nature and climate agendas
- Antonio da Costa e Silva, Head of International Affairs of the Ministry of Cities, Brazil
- Luz Marina Mantilla, Director of the Sinchi Institute, Colombia (invited)
Leaders dialogue: Integrated sustainable policies in Amazon
- David Almeida, Mayor of Manaus, Brazil (invited)
- Edmilson Rodrigues, Mayor of Belém, Brazil
- Ana Lucia Reis, Mayor of Cobija, Bolivia
- Janet Yvone C. Vasquez, Mayor of Coronel Portillo, Pucallpa
Leaders dialogue: Cities approach
- Ana Lucia Reis, Mayor of Cobija, Bolivia
- Edmilson Rodrigues, Mayor of Belém
Funding for adaptation policies in Amazon cities and territories
- Ana Costa, Superintendent of the Social Development and Public Management Area of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) – video message
- Hélinah Cardoso, Director of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, GCoM
Keynote: Voices of the Forest – The Perspective in Environmental Action
- Maria Cecília Zenezokemaero, Brazilian Environmental Activist
Wrap up and closing remarks
- Vanessa Grazziotin, Executive Director of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, OTCA
