After meeting with Biden, Lula signals the US are going to join the Amazon Fund

Following a meeting with US President Joe Biden in the White House’s Oval Office, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Friday (10), in Washington, that the United States are expected to join the Amazon Fund.

"I didn’t specifically discuss the Amazon Fund: I discussed the fact that rich countries must take responsibility for financing countries that harbor forests. In South America alone, besides Brazil, there’s Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, the Guianas – that is, there are several countries that we must take care of. What I can say is that he (Joe Biden) will participate in the Amazon Fund", said Lula.

During his meeting with Biden, the Brazilian president defended the possibility of global climate governance that includes more countries with decision-making potential, also within the United Nations. In this way, says Lula, strategic changes will have a greater chance of being implemented.

"We must have global governance with greater authority; that other countries may participate in the (UN) Security Council, so that certain climate decisions may be taken at international level. I felt Mr Biden's willingness to contribute to this effort", said Lula.

While the meeting between Biden and Lula was open to the press, the Brazilian president thanked the American leader for immediately acknowledging the latter's victory at the polls, and for Biden's defense of democracy when Brazil suffered the January 8 coup attempt.

Biden, in turn, highlighted the bonds and values that are shared by both nations, as well as their respect for democracy and their similar approach to climate issues. "Our shared values and the strong bonds between our peoples align Brazil and the USA, especially concerning great global challenges such as climate change", he said.

PEACE — When speaking with journalists, Lula also said that – during his conversation with the US president – he defended the need for joint action so that Russia and Ukraine may reach a peace agreement that ends the war between them.

"I said to President Biden what I had already said to President Macron (of France) and to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: that a group of countries that are not directly or indirectly involved in Russia's war against Ukraine must be created, so that we may find a way of making peace – and I felt the same concern in him", he revealed.

A LONG SCHEDULE — Lula landed in Washington on Thursday (9) afternoon, accompanied by his wife, Janja Lula da Silva; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mauro Vieira; the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad; the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva; the Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco; the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Márcio Elias Rosa; the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Jaques Wagner; and the Chief Advisor of the Brazilian Presidency’s Special Advisory Office, Ambassador Celso Amorim.

Before meeting with President Joe Biden, and alongside the other ministers, Lula carried out a long schedule of events in the US capital – including meetings with Senator Bernie Sanders, with representatives from the Democratic Party and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

"Everyone knows how important a good relationship between Brazil and the United States is – whether from an economic, a commercial, a political or a cultural standpoint. It’s very important that we stay together. Brazil is back on the world stage – using its political power and the respect it has conquered to, alongside other countries, carry out the task it has to carry out for humanity", stressed President Lula.

MUSEUM — Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco and Janja Lula da Silva visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, on Friday, so as to find out more about it and later help create similar museums in Brazil.

"It was exciting to see history recorded in such a profound way. The museum isn’t just about the history of slavery, but about the history of black resistance, struggle and culture. Brazil’s role in the history of black African people on the continent – and throughout the world – was made even more evident. This shows the importance of Brazil having listed areas as well as the museum at Cais do Valongo", said the minister, referring to a museum that is expected to be built in Rio de Janeiro, on a pier crossed by over a million slaves on their way to Brazil and other countries in the Americas.

Minister Marina Silva spoke with journalists after meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders. Like President Lula, she was confident that the US will actively take part in solutions to the environmental crisis. "This meeting was highly positive – and it signaled a task force to raise funds for the Amazon Fund as well as for other mechanisms that may be created to facilitate the direct access of vulnerable communities, including the creation of an aspect of Brazilian philanthropy that is already being mobilized", said Marina Silva.