Today, U.S. President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva convened for a historic meeting at the White House. The visit marked Lula's first trip to the United States since his election to office in October 2022. The leaders discussed issues including climate change and the dire threats facing the Amazon. During his remarks, Lula recognized his previous administration's success in reducing deforestation and reaffirmed his commitment to zero deforestation in Brazil by 2030.
In response, WWF issued the following statement from Carter Roberts, president and CEO:
"A renewed partnership between the United States and Brazil matters because both countries play an outsized role in efforts to achieve global climate and biodiversity goals. Brazil is home to irreplaceable ecosystems like the Amazon and the Cerrado that stand at critical tipping points. And the United States is home to companies and consumers whose decisions can help create the conditions necessary to halt the deforestation and land conversion that threaten those ecosystems.
"Together, our two countries can revitalize longstanding efforts to reverse catastrophic nature loss in these and other places by strengthening environmental protections and unlocking significant financing for conservation.
"The United States can help by mobilizing large-scale public-private funding to ensure effective management of protected and conserved areas in Brazil and neighboring countries, including to support Indigenous peoples and the stewardship of their territories. It must also do its part at home. Congress should pass legislation prohibiting the importation of commodities from illegally deforested lands. The administration should enforce existing laws to halt illegal trade. And companies should double down on commitments to achieve zero deforestation and conversion in their supply chains.
"It's a new day for Brazil, and the U.S. should do all it can to support President Lula and his administration's efforts to safeguard the country's vital ecosystems and unparalleled biodiversity for the benefit of people, nature and the climate."
