on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable the development of joint actions for the modernization of the Peruvian forestry sector through sustainable, inclusive, responsible, and profitable economic growth.
Besides, it will increase the impact and efficiency of initiatives aimed at combating illegality, strengthening forest governance and the relationship with the private sector, as well as promoting an inclusive market.
Peru, a megadiverse country
Concerning the importance of said Memorandum of Understanding for the Government of Peru,
Prime Minister Bermudez highlighted the fact that our nation is one of the 17 most megadiverse countries around the world.
"We are the second country with the most Amazonian forests in the world after Brazil, and we are the ninth country on the planet in terms of forest extension in general," she highlighted, indicating that 60% of Peru's territory is covered by forests.
Unfortunately, there is a constant threat to this valuable natural resource, which is deforestation, Bermudez indicated.
"We know that between 2001 and 2015 Peru has lost more than 1.8 million hectares of forests, this means an average of 120,000 hectares per year," she said.
The Cabinet chief explained that —in order to face the loss of forests— coordination among the various sectors of the Executive Branch is required, also at the national level (local and regional governments) and involving the private sector.
In this sense, she highlighted the signing of the MoU, underlining its objective of boosting the development of Peru's forestry sector through economic, sustainable, inclusive, responsible, and profitable growth based on the legality and competitiveness necessary for the efficient use of forest resources.
Indigenous communities
According to the Prime Minister, it is essential to strengthen the relationship with indigenous communities, as well as with other communities that inhabit forests or that depend on them, promoting participatory processes which guarantee that all people are actors and beneficiaries within the forest value chain, through alliances as well as with public and private sectors.
She added that this effort should be supported and managed under the pillars and axes of the Peruvian State's modern policies, in which the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the sectors involved —with the collaboration of
USAID— achieve progress in objectives and efforts of a global and national nature.
In this context, the Prime Minister thanked the United States Government, which
—through USAID— contributes to the efforts of the Peruvian State to protect forests and the Amazonia.
Partners to protect the Amazonia
For her part,
United States Ambassador to Peru, Lisa Kenna, stated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding reflects the commitment to join efforts aimed at protecting the Amazonia, which is a unique natural resource, essential for climate regulation, as well as for climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.
The diplomat added that this goal is only possible with the intensive cooperation of the government, academia, indigenous peoples, the private sector, and civil society.
This type of progress shows a dedication to the conservation of biodiversity, she concluded.