City
Epaper

Peru, Colombia pledge to protect Amazon region

By IANS | Updated: August 28, 2019 15:45 IST

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra and his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque have pledged to work together to protect the Amazon region amid international concern over wildfires that are destroying large tracts of the rainforest.

Open in App

During a binational Cabinet meeting in the Amazonian city of Pucallpa in eastern Peru on Tuesday, the two countries signed a joint declaration calling for the need to protect the rainforest from illegal commercial activities and pollutants.

After signing the document, Vizcarra said the fires have drawn "the attention of several countries and communities around the world", Xinhua news agency reported.

Vizcarra said that caring for the Amazon, considered the "lungs of the planet", should be permanent and added that it was essential to combat illegal logging, mining and other activities including planting drugs for trafficking.

The idea is "to propose a comprehensive plan of action to support and develop the Amazon", he said.

The Peruvian leader said he will soon meet Duque again on the Amazonian border that Peru, Colombia and Brazil share, for the "launching of a commitment in the face of this important reality, which is not being given due attention".

Duque said Colombia will host that meeting "to generate a great collective awareness" about the task of protecting the Amazon.

Brazil, Peru and Colombia are home to most of the Amazon rainforest, which also extends into Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and other South American countries.

Raging fires in recent weeks have raised international concern about the need to preserve the Amazon.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: amazonPeruColombiaVizcarraBrazil
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalBrazil: At Least One Killed, 3 Injured in Gas Pipeline Explosion in São Paulo

InternationalBrazil School Shooting: Two Killed After 13-Year-Old Student Opens Fire at School in Rio Branco

InternationalColombia: 3 Killed, Several Injured After Monster Truck Ploughs Into Crowd in Popayán; Accident Video Surfaces

InternationalPeru: At Least 60 Injured After Alejandro Villanueva Stadium Wall Collapses in Lima

InternationalColombia Plane Crash: At Least 66 Killed in Military Plane Crash in Puerto Leguizamo

International Realted Stories

InternationalPM Modi arrives in Italy, scripting a new chapter in India-Italy Strategic Partnership

InternationalOver 175 ISIS fighters killed in joint US-led airstrikes in Nigeria

InternationalIndia pitches digital health revolution at World Health Assembly

InternationalPM Modi pushes for peace in Ukraine, West Asia at India-Nordic Summit

InternationalUS imposes fresh sanctions on Iran-linked exchange firms, oil vessels under 'Economic Fury'