South American defense ministers meet to improve monitoring of Amazon region

Friday, August 16th 2013 - 03:27 UTC

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The resources rich Amazon basin has influence over most of South America

South American defense ministers gathered in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus on Thursday to discuss how to improve monitoring of the huge Amazon region. Attending the seminar which runs through Friday are Brazil's Celso Amorim, Colombia's Juan Carlos Pinzón and Ecuador's María Fernanda Espinosa.

The meeting is sponsored by Brazil's Amazon Protection System Management and Operational Center (Cenispam) which is linked to its defense ministry.

“Cenispam has experience in areas such meteorology, hydrometeorology, satellite tele-detection and ground work in support of operations against illegal activities,” a ministry statement quoted Cenispam head Rogerio Guedes as saying.

The seminar is part of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)'s objective to upgrade a system to manage special and isolated areas of the world's biggest rainforest, including indigenous reserves and environmental sanctuaries.

Guedes said Cenispam monitors 60% of Brazilian territory and hopes to share its experience with other UNASUR members.

UNASUR includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Categories: Politics, Latin America.

Tags: Amazon basin, Amazon Protection System Management and Operational Center (Cenispam), Brazil, Manaos, Unasur.

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ChrisR
Cenispam head Rogerio Guedes can SAY what he likes but what is his department DOING about illegal logging and deforestation for large company farms that is still endemic in the region?
Aug 16th, 2013 - 11:09 am 0
GeoffWard2
So true.
Mercopress should run articles on this disaster-zone.
Aug 16th, 2013 - 12:26 pm 0
The Truth PaTroll
@1

Far more than Europe ever did about their hewn forests, which of course are all extinct now. Not one single forest left in Europe, that's how dumb the Euros are.
Aug 16th, 2013 - 01:05 pm 0

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