An unidentified delegate at the COP said economic growth and sustainable development "go hand in hand" and pointed to a new conference initiative aimed at protecting the rainforest through closer partnerships with local communities.

"Economic growth and sustainable development go hand in hand," the delegate said. The speaker added that "if we do economic production like here in the rainforest, sustainable together with the people who know the Amazonas, who know the forest, then this can be a win win process for everybody." The remarks framed local-community partnership as central to sustainable resource use.

The delegate said that "at this COP, there was also the new initiative being launched for protecting the rainforest" and emphasized that such efforts require both collaboration with local communities and commitments that "the rainforest has to be preserved." The transcript does not provide the initiative's name, funding details, implementing agencies or specific commitments.

Why this matters: COP (Conference of the Parties) gatherings are where governments and stakeholders discuss climate and environmental policy; initiatives announced there can set priorities for negotiations, funding proposals and national commitments. The delegate’s comments highlight a recurring policy approach that pairs economic activity with community stewardship in rainforest regions.

The transcript records only this brief presentation. No further details on the initiative’s scope, timeline, or backers were provided, and the delegate did not identify a sponsoring country or organization in the available segments. The speaker’s remarks focused on principle and partnership rather than operational specifics.