The Argentine province of Santa Fe (center) obtained this Tuesday a loan of 65 million euros (about US$ 70 million) for environmental works by signing an agreement with the French Agency for Development (AFD) within the framework of the visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs , Stéphane Séjourné, to the South American country.
According to official sources, this is the first direct loan that AFD provides to a Argentine province without federal guarantee and will be used for the restoration of biodiversity within protected areas and the construction of innovation, research and training centers.
“This signature represents the commitment and union of states in the conservation of the biodiversity“said the governor of Santa Fe, Maximiliano Pullaro, after signing his signature together with Séjourné and the director of the AFD, Lorena Chara.
The investment will also be used to strengthen environmental programsspaces intended for environmental education and promote sustainable tourism, within the goal “30×30” of the Global Biodiversity Frameworkwhich calls for transforming 30% of the planet’s surface into protected areas by 2030.
This project is the first of the French development agency in Latin America based on “100% biodiversity”, where the province is home to an important fauna and Floraas well as wetlands that regulate water cycles.
“The construction of eco-refuges, camping areas, interpretation centers and spaces dedicated to environmental education is planned. The improvement of trails, the recovery of natural spaces, the construction of floating docks, among others, are planned. This will allow our province to avoid the emission of 13,000 tons of CO2 per year“, the Government of Santa Fe indicated in a statement.
The agreement was part of the last day of the visit in Argentina de Séjourné, who last Monday met with his Argentine counterpart, Diana Mondino.
This Tuesday, Séjourné is expected to have a meeting with the Argentine Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, and with business figures, while on Wednesday he will travel to Brazil to attend the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
The minister’s official trip to the American continent will end next Friday, when he goes to the UN headquarters in NY.
Source: Gestion
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