Guyana among Amazon countries hoping to raise US$1 billion for infrastructure projects

In a landmark initiative, seven Amazonian countries—Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname—have joined forces to establish the Amazonia Forever Facility for Cities and Resilient Infrastructure. This regional alliance, formalized through a joint declaration on November 11, 2025, aims to mobilize over $1 billion to bolster investments in water security, clean energy, and resilient urban infrastructure. The initiative is spearheaded by the Amazonia Network of Ministers of Finance and Planning, with robust support from the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and backing from multilateral climate funds, bilateral donors, and local leaders. The facility will employ innovative financial mechanisms, including blended financing, performance-based concessionality schemes, and credit-substitution guarantees, while providing technical assistance for infrastructure projects in urban and peri-urban areas. Brazil’s Planning and Budget Minister, Simone Tebet, emphasized the dual focus on forest preservation and urban development, highlighting that over 70% of the Amazonian population resides in cities facing critical gaps in water, sanitation, energy, and mobility. IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn underscored the initiative’s role in fostering livelihoods and protecting the 60 million people who call the Amazon home. The facility has already garnered significant international support, with Denmark, Norway, and Sweden committing $800 million for clean-energy projects, and the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds contributing $162 million and $215 million, respectively, for resilient infrastructure and clean energy access. Additionally, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation has pledged 6 million euros to enhance water and sanitation efforts in the region.