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Improving the reforestation process in plowed areas in Paragominas, with a focus on biodiversity, is one of the objectives that led to an international partnership between Hydro, the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA) , Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG) and University of Oslo (Norway).

The agreement was signed this Friday, 29, in Belém. The studies aim to achieve even better results in terms of the biodiversity of areas rehabilitated by Hydro Paragominas. "Our ambition is, not only to bring reforestation to the point it was before we started mining, but also to get as close as possible to the original condition of the tropical forest, before any deforestation started decades ago. By 2020, our ambition is to be carbon neutral, "said Johnny Undeli, executive vice president of Hydro, responsible for the Bauxite & amp; Alumina.

"This partnership comes with the goal of developing and applying research-based activities, building a strong knowledge base on biodiversity and climate in our region," said the vice-rector of UFPA, Horácio Schneider.

Nilson Gabas Júnior, director of MPEG, stresses the importance of uniting forces between partner institutions. "Regarding the work that we will carry out in biodiversity, forest recovery and climate, although we already have in-depth studies, I can say that the application of these studies to specific areas of large enterprises in the Amazon, will be fundamental", he said.

Internationally recognized partners

The signing ceremony was attended by the Secretary of Industry, Commerce and Mining of Pará, David Leal, who represented Governor Simão Jatene.

"I see this partnership as very important because it will bring together institutions of great international respect, such as UFPA, UFRA, the Museu Emílio Goeldi, with the excellent university in Oslo and Hydro. For us, the State Government, it is a joy very great to share that moment ", he highlighted.

Challenge becomes opportunity

Aud Marit Wiig, Norway's ambassador to Brazil, went to Belém especially to participate in the event on behalf of biodiversity. "Bauxite mining brings with it some challenges for the environment, but in this partnership, Hydro transformed a challenge into an opportunity. The company took the lead and, with its partners, seeks to better understand and manage the region's ecosystem", highlighted the ambassador.

For Morten Daehlen, acting rector of the University of Oslo, the partnership with Brazilian institutions "meets our international strategy for cooperation in research and education, our global presence and our responsibility as a large and growing university ". "We also work constantly to strengthen our collaborative relationship with industrial partners and Hydro is and has been important to us.

From the signature made today, the initial phase of studies will be coordinated by the Museum of Natural History at the University of Oslo. Fridtjof Mehlum, director of research at the institution, sees great potential in the partnership. "Research institutions in Pará have great experience, which will join ours and Hydro, in this area of biodiversity. We have already managed to identify projects with the potential to accelerate recovery and revegetation after mining the ore," he says.

This text is machine translated. To view the original Portuguese text, click on PT on the top right of this window

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