Lula da Silva: The world must help Brazil save the Amazon

(Patria) - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that "the world must help" Brazil protect the Amazon, ahead of next week's summit on the world's largest rainforest, a key protector against climate change, AFP reported.

"We know we have the responsibility to convince the world that the investment is cheap when it comes to saving the rainforest," said the left-wing president.

"The world needs to help us preserve and develop the Amazon," he added, answering a question on how to reconcile the need for economic development in the region with forest protection.

Lula and leaders of other countries with territory in the Amazon are scheduled to meet next week in the Brazilian city of Belem to discuss the development of policies for the protection of the rainforest, which has been severely damaged by deforestation.

This will be the first meeting of the eight-member Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization since 2009.

According to official data, deforestation in the Brazilian 60 percent share of the Amazon fell by 33.6 percent year-on-year from January to June, in the first six months of Lula's term.

Rainforest destruction increased during the term of his right-wing predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

Lula said he plans to cooperate with other Amazon Basin leaders to "exchange research on the region's biodiversity" and seek ways to enable people there to "work without destroying" the fragile ecosystem.