South American Presidential Summit For The Amazon

LETICIA, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 06: President of Peru Martin Vizcarra attends the inauguration of the Summit of Presidents for the Amazon on September 06, 2019 in Leticia, Colombia. Summit involves all the South American countries that share the Amazon Rainforest (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana and Suriname). It had been called by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who later confirmed his absence due to medial reasons. The main goal is to address the devastating fires that have affected large swaths of the area. At the Presidential Summit for the Amazon, the presidents will sign the “Leticia Pact for the Amazon” that will contain concrete actions and an itinerary of activities for the Amazonian countries of the region and the international community to protect the largest tropical rainforest in the world, essential for climate balance. The Amazon is burning at a record rate due to intentional fires, mostly set illegally by people who are clearing the forest to raise cattle and crops. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)