U.S. President Joe Biden has become the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest, using the historic occasion to emphasize the urgent need for climate action and conservation.
Speaking to reporters in Manaus, the largest city in the Brazilian Amazon, Biden described the rainforest as a critical solution to the global climate crisis.
“Today, I’m proud to stand here — the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest — to reaffirm our commitment to preserving these vital ecosystems,” Biden said. “Forests are the most powerful tool we have to combat climate change, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stabilizing our planet.”
During his visit, Biden announced several initiatives, including a partnership through the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to mobilize hundreds of millions of dollars with a Brazilian company to accelerate reforestation efforts.
He also unveiled the Brazil Restoration and Bioeconomy Finance Coalition, which aims to secure $10 billion in funding by 2030 to restore and protect approximately 20,000 square miles (51,799 square kilometers) of degraded land in the Amazon. Additionally, Biden pledged an extra $50 million to the Amazon Fund, reinforcing the U.S.’s commitment to preserving the rainforest.
To underscore his dedication to environmental conservation, Biden proclaimed Nov. 17 as International Conservation Day.
As part of his visit, Biden took an aerial tour of the Amazon and visited the Museu da Amazônia, where he engaged with Indigenous leaders, conservationists, and local entrepreneurs.
Biden’s trip to the Amazon coincides with his participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for Nov. 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro, alongside leaders from 19 member countries. The summit will address global challenges, including climate change and sustainability.
By making this symbolic and action-oriented visit, Biden has reinforced the United States’ role in global environmental stewardship and collaborative efforts to tackle climate change.
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