The fund was created in the first years of the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. But it was shut down by former President Jair Bolsonaro. With Lula’s return to power, the mechanism was reinstated and received the promise of support from Norway, Germany and other countries.
“With this immediate contribution, Switzerland would like to begin cooperation with this important instrument and show its support for Brazil’s environmental commitment,” the embassy said in a statement.
“On the other hand, this contribution is accompanied by Switzerland’s extensive knowhow and expertise, which will also be put at the service of the Amazon Fund in the future. The Swiss government is convinced that with its support we can strengthen our longstanding cooperation. longterm partnership between Switzerland and Brazil,” he explained.
According to the Europeans, this initiative complements Switzerland’s existing commitments in the area of environment and sustainability, including the UNDP Green Commodities Program, the Global Environment Facility, the Climate Investment Fund and the InterAmerican Bank of America Fund. Development, the SIRWASH program on water and sanitation and other bilateral initiatives and projects.
At the ceremony, the Swiss ambassador to Brazil, Pietro Lazzeri, will sign the contract with BNDES in the presence of Brazilian federal and state authorities.