Participants had the opportunity to learn about initiatives under way in the region and exchange experiences to boost positive impacts in the Amazon

The Amazon Working Group and Social Technical Committee of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), in partnership with power company Norte Energia, recently held a four-day immersion at Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex in Altamira, Pará. Seven member companies took part in the event. Vale was represented by Márcia Soares, its Amazon and partnerships manager, who is responsible for Fundo Vale’s business promotion agenda.

The activities included a visit to Belo Monte Complex, where research, development and innovation projects were presented. The participants also visited the Jericoá 2 riverine indigenous community, and they had the opportunity to exchange experiences and learn about productive activities related to the bioeconomy.

The group also learned about projects supported by the Belo Monte Entrepreneurship Program and visited several collective urban relocation sites and Pará Federal University, where they found out about ongoing initiatives. The activities also included discussions and interaction with various local stakeholders, enabling constructive dialogues on the Amazon region’s sustainable development. 

“Belo Monte is a high-profile project not only for the region, but for the social and environmental agenda and the private sector as a whole. We have a lot to learn from it. The meetings reinforced the importance of engagement between companies and local communities to foster positive social and environmental impact in the context of large projects. We strongly believe that exchanging experiences and knowledge is a fundamental way of building effective solutions in the Amazon,” said Márcia Soares. 

The main objective of CEBDS’ Amazon Working Group is to raise companies’ awareness and engage them in issues that are relevant to the Amazon, as well as taking a stand on proactive corporate actions to drive positive impacts that reconcile production and preservation for the development and maintenance of preserved forests.