The Americas Business Dialogue, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and IDB Invest held the inaugural meeting of the Private Sector Task Force for the Amazon, under the framework of Amazonia Forever, the IDB’s holistic program for the sustainable development of the Amazon. This task force represents an unprecedented effort to address the challenges and seize the opportunities offered by the Amazon region, rich in biodiversity and natural resources, for the private sector.
The Task Force aims to formulate specific recommendations for the private sector and develop joint public-private projects that promote the sustainable development of the Amazon. During the inaugural meeting, business leaders specializing in the field and representatives from various industries defined the scope of work, set short- and long-term objectives, and planned activities to be carried out through May 2025.
The meeting included participation from representatives of indigenous communities and the private sector, including Denis Minev, CEO of Grupo Bemol, who assumed the presidency of the Task Force, and leaders from organizations such as Belterra, SOCAP Global, Ganaderos del Caquetá, Crack the Code, Café Imeru, and Meta. This combination of expertise in sustainable development, conservation, and business leadership aims to ensure that the group’s actions and recommendations are informed, innovative, and aligned with the complex needs and challenges of the region.
During the meeting, Fabrizio Opertti, Manager of the Integration and Trade Sector of the IDB, emphasized the importance of collaboration with the private sector to design and implement effective public policies that drive sustainable economic development in the region. Similarly, Gabriel Azevedo, General Manager of Strategy at IDB Invest, highlighted the need to adapt business models to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the Amazon.
The Task Force will meet periodically in virtual sessions until the next Summit of the Americas, scheduled for 2025 in the Dominican Republic, where it will present its findings and recommendations to the region’s leaders. Subsequently, these results will be shared at COP 30, to be held in the fourth quarter of 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
This joint effort seeks to transform the Amazon into a region that is not only preserved but also actively contributes to conservation and enhances its natural and cultural wealth, benefiting its communities and the planet.
The Private Sector Task Force joins the IDB Group’s series of efforts to catalyze and strengthen the ecosystem of private investment and economic-financial cooperation to scale sustainable financing in the Amazon region. The Task Force complements other efforts of Amazonia Forever, including the network of Amazonian finance and planning ministers, the green coalition of public development banks, and the Amazon Financing Network.