Amazon regional programme: Advisory services to the Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty was signed in 1978 by Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. In 2003, the Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) established its headquarters’ in Brasilia. GTZ cooperates with the ACTO Permanent Secretariat to promote an international policy on natural resources in the Amazon region, based on principles of sustainability.

Activities of other international projects in Brazil

Refrigerator recycling programme in Brazil

In order to reduce CO₂ emissions in the fight against global warming, GTZ, on behalf of the BMU, has joined Brazilian partners (MMA) to set up a model plant for recycling old refrigerators in Brazil using state-of-the-art technologies.

Strengthening indigenous organisations in Latin America (PROINDIGENA)
The regional project, ‘Strengthening indigenous organisations in Latin America, PROINDIGENA’, is empowering indigenous organisations and community groups to attain their political, cultural, social and economic rights, and to stand up effectively for those rights in national and international forums.

Social and ecological standards

In the context of global competition, minimum labour and environmental standards are frequently neglected. National legislators are often overburdened by the need to comply with international labour law and environmental standards. The private sector is showing increasing interest and is becoming more willing to apply standards on a voluntary basis.

Local renewables

Local authorities can have a significant influence on what types of energy are used in their area and how.

Through the non-governmental organisation, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), GTZ collaborates with selected local authorities and governments to increase the use of renewable energies and to improve their energy efficiency.

More on ICLEI:

Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)

The global network of policymakers in developing countries enables poor people living on less than USD 2 per day to gain access to financial services.

More on AFI:

Strategic Alliance for Fortification of Oil and Other Staple Foods (SAFO)

Through a public–private partnership with BASF, GTZ is supporting the fortification of staple foods with vitamin A to prevent malnutrition.