Posted on September, 03 2002

Johannesburg, South Africa - The GEF (Global Environment Facility) , the World Bank , and the conservation organization WWF today joined the Brazilian government in supporting a new program that will triple the amount of the Amazon rainforest under federal protection, thus assuring the conservation of an area twice as big as the United Kingdom or almost twice the size of USA State of Texas, amounting to 12% of the total forest area. The new 10-year Amazon Region Protected Areas Program (ARPA), launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, sets aside 500 thousand sq. km (or 50 million hectares) that will include samples of all 23 Amazonian eco-regions with their various types of landscapes and genetic resources, as well as several local communities that could benefit from the scheme. The Amazon rainforest occupies 4.1 million sq km or half of Brazil's territory. "Our commitment to forest conservation in the Amazon is no longer a promise. By combining efforts with our partners and implementing the ARPA Program, Brazil is giving an example of reconciliation between environment and social priorities. Concrete steps can now follow. The first was already taken 12 days ago," said Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, referring to the creation of the 38,867 sq km Tumucumaque National Park, the world's largest tropical forest park. The long-term target of ARPA — 500 thousand sq km — is estimated to cost US$395 million over the next 10 years. The partners signed a joint declaration expressing their strong support to ARPA's short and long-term goals, securing US$81.5 million for its first four-year phase. The Brazilian Government will provide US$18.1 million; US$30 million will come from a recently approved GEF grant; US$16.5 million from WWF; US$14.4 million from the German bilateral agency Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW); and US$2.5 from other donors. The World Bank and WWF have also committed to raise a further US$70 million each to help meet the long-term target. "The Amazon region is a biodiversity treasure," said Mohamed T. El-Ashry, CEO and Chairman of the GEF. "It is also the largest and most important source of freshwater for Brazil and the region. This program is important for the people of Brazil, as well as for the region and the world". Phase I of the ARPA Program will create by 2006 a total of 90 thousand sq. km of new strict use protected areas, such as national parks and biological reserves, plus 90 thousand sq. km of new sustainable development areas such as extractive reserves, helping establish viable livelihoods for local communities. The actual number and location of these new areas will be defined based on conservation priorities established by the Brazilian National Biodiversity Program. Moreover, this first stage of ARPA will also implement 70 thousand sq. km of already existing protected areas, benefiting 20 parks and reserves. ARPA's Phase I will account for increasing the forest area under protection from 4% to 8.4%. Other phases will follow up to the accomplishment of the 12% target by 2012. "This single program will protect 3.6% of the world's remaining tropical forests. It is a cornerstone for conservation on a scale compatible with the challenge of effectively protecting the Amazon Region's biodiversity as well as promoting the sustainable use of the forest, a result of a unique partnership that should be broadened to bring this initiative to full fruition," said WWF Director General Dr Claude Martin. The Brazilian initiative marks the latest step in the World Bank / WWF Alliance for Forest Conservation and Sustainable Use . Founded in 1997, it brings together governments, the private sector, and civil society to reduce the rate of loss and degradation of forests worldwide. "Saving the rainforests is essential to sustainable development and we need to scale up our efforts to an unprecedented level. ARPA is an excellent example. This is an act of global significance and I congratulate President Cardoso and the people of Brazil for their remarkable gift to the future," said World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn. "The World Bank is proud to be an active partner in this initiative to balance protection of the Amazon's environmental riches with the quality of life of the Amazonian people." One of the innovative aspects of the ARPA Program is the establishment of a Fiduciary Fund whose income will guarantee the future maintenance of parks and reserves. The Program is based on a decentralized and participatory approach, with creation of new protected areas respecting the interests of communities and other stakeholders through a representative program management committee. In addition, the program will seek greater socio-economic integration with local society by also working in the buffer zone of the protected areas. ARPA will also establish a biodiversity monitoring and evaluation system at both protected area and regional levels. The ARPA Program is the accomplishment of a pledge made in 1998 by President Cardoso to place 10% of the Brazilian Amazon in strict-use protected areas. The original target was later expanded and now also includes sustainable use areas.