Amazon Week 2026 in Brussels
Under the leadership of MEP Helder Sousa Silva, and with the support of the Mission of Brazil to the EU and ApexBrasil, the European Parliament hosted an event on June 4th as part of AmazonWeek2026.
Prof. Dr. Cesar Cunha Campos, Director-General of FGV Europe, attended the event, which was structured around two complementary panels.
The first panel brought together small-scale producers from the Amazon region, with a particular emphasis on female community leaders. They shared firsthand accounts of their production practices, living conditions, and sources of income. Their testimonies highlighted the deep knowledge these communities possess of their environment and the importance they attach to preserving the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend.
The second panel featured Brazilian and European authorities who discussed the role of scientific and technological development rooted in local realities and experiences. Participants also explored opportunities for financing, innovation, and enhanced cooperation between Brazil and the European Union to support sustainable development in the Amazon.
A key takeaway from the discussions was the importance of ensuring that European policymakers listen closely to the needs and challenges faced by local populations. Such engagement is essential to designing regulations that are both effective and adapted to the realities of the region.
One example raised during the debate concerned honey production.
Because honey is classified as an animal product, it may become subject to regulatory requirements similar to those applied to the cattle sector, despite the significant differences between the two production chains. Referring to cases such as this, MEP Helder Sousa Silva emphasized his commitment to helping European legislators better understand the specific realities of the Amazon when shaping policies that affect the region.