The Dilemma of International Cooperation in Global Governance: The Case of Amazon Forest Conservation in Brazil

Abstract

The Amazon Forest is an essential ecosystem that provides numerous services and supports millions of livelihoods. Despite conservation efforts that began in the 1960s with the Brazilian government and international agencies joining the cause, economic and political pressures still pose significant challenges. Governance of the Amazon Forest involves three main actors: sovereign states within and outside the region and NGOs. Brazil, with 60% of the worlds largest tropical forest, is the most critical intra-regional governance actor. However, conflicting interests, the governments lack of environmental governance capacity, and negative attitudes toward international cooperation impede governance in the region. Aid from outside sovereign states can be influenced by political factors, leading to the mismanagement of funds, while NGOs cannot play a substantial role due to government policies. To address these challenges, the author recommends finding consensus among different subjects, resource integration, and cooperation, construction of coordination mechanisms, information-sharing platforms, and monitoring mechanisms. Effective information-sharing and assessment mechanisms can enhance collaboration, and trust, and reduce conflicts, leading to common governance goals achievement.