The Efficiency of the Current Governance Model for the Amazon

Abstract

The Amazon accounts for more than half of the planet’s rainforests, fauna and flora,1 and the volume of its water basin is equivalent to 20% of the total fresh water supply for the entire world.2 Furthermore, the Amazon is considered the “Lungs of our Planet”,3 since it filters the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen in huge amounts, and contributes significantly to the reduction of global warming. Indeed, it is one of the richest places on Earth in terms of biodiversity and genetic, natural and cultural resources. It is no wonder, then, that it has always attracted substantial attention at both a local and global level. Normally, when one speaks of the Amazon and its governance, the focus underlying the debate is the juxtaposition between the sovereignty of the eight States4 that have jurisdiction over the Amazon5 and the possible limitations on this sovereignty on the part of the international community. The latter worries about the administration of the region, the environmental impact that may flow from mismanagement of the area and the benefits – economic, scientific or otherwise – that may be obtained through resources found in the Amazonian territory. However, this view of the interests in the region – the development and sovereignty of the Amazonian States versus the international community’s concern over and interest in the Amazon – is an oversimplification. Indeed, the attention attracted by the Amazon is manifested in different ways, including not only the preoccupation with the environment and sustainability and a possible menace to sovereignty of a State, but also the self-determination of peoples, advances in science, and the livelihood of local communities...