Creating synergies: landmark collaboration for the Amazon

In a significant step towards fostering innovation and sustainable development in the Amazon region, Brazil and Peru have formalized a partnership with the signing of a letter of intent between the Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana, Hero Startup, and IASP member Fundação Guamá. This collaboration is set to establish a cutting-edge Science & Technology Park and innovation center in the Peruvian Amazon, directly connected with Parque Tecnológico do Alto Solimões in Tabatinga, Brazil.  

This initiative not only aims to advance technological and economic growth in the region but also seeks to integrate and protect the rich biodiversity of the Amazon. 

The idea for this ambitious project was first discussed during the recent IASP Latin American Division conference in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where Rodrigo Quites, CEO of Fundação Guamá and PCT Guamá (Brazil), engaged in discussions with Flavia Fiorin of Tecnopuc (Brazil) and Arturo Coral of Hero Startup (Peru).  

The conversation highlighted the shared challenges and opportunities in the Amazon, leading to the question: "Why not collaborate as nations that share the vast Amazon rainforest?", leading to the proposal of the Global Amazon Innovation Triangle to integrate and promote innovation, research, and technology across the nations that encompass the majority of the Amazon’s biodiversity. 

The development of this project has already seen several key milestones, with Fundação Guamá playing a pivotal role in escalating the project to the Brazilian government. The Brazilian delegation held a series of strategic meetings with key stakeholders, including academic leaders and authorities connected to the port of Chancay in Peru, which is expected to play a significant role in the initiative, and conducted visits to several prominent Peruvian universities, including the Universidad de Huacho, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM), and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP).  

These visits were crucial in identifying potential synergies and support mechanisms that could enhance the success of the project. The discussions at PUCP were particularly significant, resulting in a signed agreement between PCT Guamá and Hero Startup, further solidifying the collaboration. 

The partnership culminated in the signing of a cooperation agreement in Loreto - Iquitos, marking the beginning of strategic initiatives designed to advance innovation, research, and technological development in the Amazon, while respecting its unique cultural and environmental heritage, ensuring that development is both sustainable and inclusive. 

The project represents a significant step forward in the development of the Amazon, ensuring that this critical region, often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation and economic development.