Luiz Beduschi, Senior Policy Officer for Territorial Development:“Investing in the bioeconomy allows us to fight hunger and poverty without putting the Amazon’s natural wealth at risk.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports countries in the Amazon region in developing a bioeconomy model that promotes inclusive rural transformation, improves productivity and well-being, and safeguards the balance of the ecosystem. To learn more about these efforts and their impact in the region, we spoke with Luiz Carlos Beduschi, Senior Policy Officer for Territorial Development for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Amazon is one of the territories most affected by the climate crisis. Why does FAO consider the bioeconomy a strategic opportunity to advance sustainable development in the region?

The Amazon is a key territory in the fight against climate change, and FAO is committed, concerned, and actively working to find solutions that foster economic development and improve people’s quality of life without harming the environment.

In this context, we see the bioeconomy emerging as an alternative that allows us to fight hunger and poverty without jeopardizing the Amazon’s natural wealth. The business opportunity for the circular bioeconomy is estimated at USD 7.7 trillion by 2030. Yet, the region’s current participation stands at only 0.17%—a figure that highlights the enormous growth potential, provided investments align with rigorous environmental sustainability and decarbonization metrics.

What is FAO doing to make a bioeconomy model that harnesses the Amazon’s potential a reality?

In 2024, FAO, together with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), began developing the Amazon Bioeconomy Program involving all eight member countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela). To do so, we use geospatial, biophysical, and socioeconomic information provided by the Hand-in-Hand Initiative to identify tailored investment strategies. So far, the program focuses on creating digital ecosystems that enhance the traceability of selected Amazonian products and strengthen public goods, as well as on sustainable fisheries management through regional regulatory agreements that improve commercialization.

This program aims to mobilize over USD 70 million with an expected internal rate of return (IRR) of 17.6% and a net present value (NPV) of USD 23 million. We expect to improve the livelihoods of 14,500 direct beneficiaries and 57,000 indirect beneficiaries.

The Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Program was presented at the Third Bio-Amazonian Dialogue in Manaus and at the World Investment Forum in Rome. What was the purpose of bringing the proposal to these spaces?

Having spaces for cooperation and exchange is essential to encourage countries and other institutions to support the development of the Bioeconomy Program. In that sense, both events were key opportunities to discuss the proposal, improve it, and learn from other experiences in the region. In Manaus, for example, we engaged with representatives from institutions such as Banco do Brasil, the World Resources Institute, and the Vale Fund. These entities promote cooperation models that combine technical expertise, financing, and inclusive territorial development to strengthen the foundation of the Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Program under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

At the World Investment Forum, we presented a more robust version of the program to representatives from the private sector, multilateral banks, governments, and institutions committed to transforming agrifood systems, seeking resources to bring these investment plans for sustainable fisheries and digital ecosystems to life.

What role do communities play in this process, and how has their participation been ensured?

Rural communities and Amazonian peoples are at the heart of this process. We do not want them to be merely passive beneficiaries—they are the guardians of these territories. More than 50 million people live in the Amazon, including 400 Indigenous communities. Therefore, the solutions we offer must consider their cultures and traditions, their concerns, and their opportunities.

In shaping the Amazon Bioeconomy Investment Program, we have engaged with them through Amazonian Dialogues to hear their perspectives. We have also visited their communities, which is essential for truly understanding conditions on the ground. During Amazon Week, for instance, participants visited the Santa Luzia School on Baixio Island, where education, support for better production practices, and community solidarity come together to protect the forest and build a better future. This activity also highlighted policy advancements in Amazonian countries and in the financial sector to enable investments that drive productive and sustainable transformation in the region.

What are the next steps for consolidating the Amazon Bioeconomy Program?

The next steps involve turning commitments into effective governance, investments, and local results in specific territories. FAO reaffirms that global climate action must advance in harmony with the Amazon biome, protecting its biodiversity and creating more efficient, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

First, we will deepen cooperation with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) to strengthen regional coordination, attract new partners from the public and private sectors and international cooperation, and implement the investment proposals agreed upon by countries. The goal is to scale solutions in which the agriculture and fisheries sectors contribute to addressing the climate crisis, generating employment and income, and ensuring that no one is left behind. We will also expand rural digital inclusion by establishing 100 digital ecosystems, integrating infrastructure, services, and applications—such as digital banking and e-commerce—so producers of deforestation-free goods can access sustainable markets and increase their productivity with added value.

Second, incorporating traceability technology for certain non-timber forest products aims to open new opportunities by aligning local value chains with the European Union’s strict import requirements. This measure is expected to boost productivity and value-added production, creating new sources of employment and income. These investments will directly benefit 5,000 açaí and cocoa-producing families in the Brazilian Amazon and indirectly support up to 45,000 people.

Third, we will advance strategic productive investments. One initiative will strengthen Amazonian fisheries of migratory catfish by reducing logistical costs through improved transport and providing technical assistance for responsible management. With an estimated investment of USD 41 million, the project aims to improve the viability of artisanal fisheries, increase per-capita income for 9,500 families, and indirectly benefit an additional 12,000 people, while creating new opportunities for value-added production and sustainability along the value chain.