Brazil's Lula discussed with Biden climate change, job creation initiative

[August 17, 2023]  BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he discussed with U.S. President Joe Biden efforts to fight climate change, as well as the outcome of a summit of rainforest nations held in Brazil last week.    

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the launch ceremony of Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) at Rio de Janeiro's Municipal Theater, Brazil, August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo

In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Lula said he and Biden spoke by phone and also discussed a joint initiative between the countries to create jobs that should be launched soon.

Later on Wednesday, the White House confirmed the conversation in a statement, adding that two leaders spoke about Biden's commitment to request $500 million from the U.S. Congress over five years to support the Brazilian-administered Amazon Fund, aimed at boosting environmental protections.

The presidents discussed "ongoing efforts to help mobilize up to $1 billion to support the restoration of degraded lands in Brazil and the Amazon region."

Both leaders also committed to maintaining "active communication" about Venezuela and Haiti, the statement added.

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Peter Frontini; Editing by Chris Reese and Brendan O'Boyle)

[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.