Helder Barbalho presents the Amazon Bioeconomy Park to the Norwegian Climate Minister
The space in Belém reinforces Pará's strategy to transform biodiversity into income, innovation, and green jobs
The governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, presented this Friday (14) the Amazon Bioeconomy and Innovation Park in Belém to the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. The space, which serves as a hub for business, research, and technological development focused on the living forest, consolidates itself as one of the main showcases of the state strategy to strengthen sustainable production chains in the Amazon.
Upon visiting the park, Andreas Eriksen highlighted the quality of the installed infrastructure and its alignment with the vision that the forest needs to generate economic opportunities to be preserved.
“I think this is a great infrastructure you have here in Belém, Pará. This echoes our belief that one of the most important ways to ensure that the forest stands in the future is to add economic value for people, create opportunities, jobs, and economic development,” he stated.
The minister also drew attention to the potential of the Amazonian bioeconomy for Brazil and the international market.
“I think this has great potential, both for the Brazilian market and for the export market, because you have some fantastic products coming from the forest, which I am sure people in Norway and other countries would also like to know about.”
Integrated science, technology, and traditional knowledge
Eriksen also emphasized the innovative nature of the model implemented by Pará, which articulates scientific research, technology, and traditional knowledge to transform biodiversity into concrete solutions.
“I haven't seen anything like this before, and I think this is a really good and innovative way to work because, as people here know very well, the forest has great value. [...] Being able to develop this, using it as a way to also be guardians of the forest, I think is a great idea,” he added.
The minister also confirmed the intention to deepen cooperation with the state:
“I am sure we will continue to develop our cooperation over time, also in this area. [...] I am very excited to discuss this in the future as well.”
Pará's strategy gains international reinforcement
Governor Helder Barbalho emphasized that the partnership with Norway strengthens the state policy of promoting green jobs and income from Amazonian biodiversity, in alignment with international climate financing mechanisms.
“We are having the opportunity to present to the world the actions we are taking here to create value in the living forest, and Norway plays an absolutely important role as the main international partner of the state of Pará, the main international partner of the Amazon Fund and now of the TFFF, within the concept of positioning value for the tropical forest,” he stated.
Helder also highlighted that the Bioeconomy Park consolidates itself as a strategic space for high-level agendas, reinforcing Pará's prominence in the climate agenda.
“I was able to present to the minister these projects and, mainly, present what is already being done, what has already been accomplished and, of course, with the support, with the backing, that we can bring new alliances, generate scale in strategic articulations so that the world is with us in this solution,” he concluded.
