The eight countries sharing the Amazon basin have not met their agreed goal to put an end to deforestation.

Representatives from these nations have convened in the Brazilian city of Belém for a two-day summit addressing this concern – the first such gathering in 14 years.

During the summit, a collective statement was issued on Tuesday, forming an alliance against deforestation. However, each country retains the responsibility of pursuing its individual conservation objectives. Before the summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva proposed a shared target of ending deforestation by 2030, a goal already embraced by his own government.

Brazil is home to around 60% of the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest. Other countries participating in the summit include Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

In his opening speech, President Lula discussed the "grave intensification of the climate crisis" and emphasized the necessity of united action in the face of these challenges. "The urgency has never been greater," he remarked. Although deforestation in Brazil has significantly reduced since Lula assumed office, thousands of square kilometers are still lost annually.

The joint statement, referred to as the Belém declaration, outlines the formation of a new alliance aiming to prevent irreversible harm to the Amazon. It also commits to increased cooperation on matters such as water management, health, sustainable development, and united positions in global climate negotiations.

While some may have anticipated stronger language, the summit signifies a shared determination among regional countries to address one of the most significant challenges of our era.

Preserving the Amazon is an essential component of the efforts to combat climate change.

For instance, Colombia's President, Gustavo Petro, aims to see other nations align with his commitment to prohibit new oil exploration. On the other hand, Brazil is contemplating the exploration of fresh territories around the Amazon river's mouth.

Despite these varying stances, the gathering has undeniably provided this region a platform to address climate change, and it's being perceived as a precursor to the 2025 UN Climate Change conference, also scheduled in Belém. The summit's commencement coincided with the European Union's climate change panel confirming July as the hottest month on global record.

The Amazon, comprised of billions of trees, serves as a reservoir for substantial amounts of carbon amassed over centuries. Each year, their leaves continue to absorb carbon dioxide, preventing its release into the atmosphere and aiding in the reduction of global temperature elevation.

Since the advent of the industrial era, the Earth's temperature has already risen by approximately 1.1°C. Without significant emissions reductions, temperatures will continue to climb.