In his first speech as Brazilian President-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised to unite a divided country – and stop the deforestation of the Amazon.

As the veteran leftist celebrated his close-run victory over far right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, he opened his arms to international cooperation to help preserve the under-threat Amazon rainforest and vowed deforestation would be cut to zero.

And his win – along with the green commitments – were welcomed by world leaders and conservationists alike.

US President Joe Biden congratulated him, and Brazil, on “fair, and credible elections”.

He added: “I look forward to working together to continue the cooperation between our two countries in the months and years ahead.”

France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Mr da Silva’s win “opens a new page in the history of Brazil” and vowed the two nations would “renew the ties of friendship” and join forces to face “the many common challenges… between our two countries”.

Frank Bainimarama, Fiji’s Prime Minister and environmental campaigner, said the Amazon was the “lungs of the planet” and welcomed his pledge on deforestation.

Lula da Silva wins Brazilian election narrowly beating Jair Bolsonaro, official figures show

Polls close in Brazil as voters decide between Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva

Deeply divided Sao Paulo a perfect metaphor for Brazil’s contentious election

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also referenced the environment while congratulating Mr da Silva.

He said he was looking forward to working to “strengthen the partnership between our countries, to deliver results for Canadians and Brazilians, and to advance shared priorities – like protecting the environment”.

Some experts had said the fate of the Amazon had rested on the result of Brazil’s election.

Outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, had been accused of overseeing a new era of deforestation most believed had disappeared.

He removed many environmental protections for the rainforest, which led to rapidly rising deforestation and many wildfires – and which led to a doubling of CO2 emissions in 2019 and 2020.

The EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell also said the bloc would work with Mr da Silva, known universally as Lula, “in all areas of mutual interest, including on trade, environment and climate change”.

Related posts:

Doctor who treated Kremlin critic Navalny after poisoning goes missing in Siberia ‘Disaster movie’ in Greece: Death and devastation as wildfires rage across the world Taliban seize much of Kunduz as group continues push through Afghanistan The Olympics may have reached the finish line, but record COVID rates mean they ‘leave a scar’ Taliban bans all protests where prior permission has not been granted ‘We will fight to the end’: Mariupol set to fall as last-known pocket of resistance holds out in steel plant Australia set to get new PM after Scott Morrison concedes defeat of ruling conservatives Russians have turned to a devastatingly random tactic in the Donbas – and they’re still on the march Russian soldier gets life sentence over murder of civilian after first Ukraine war crimes trial Girl crushed by marble statue while playing in hotel courtyard Putin signs laws annexing four Ukrainian regions as Russian troops pushed back on battlefield How MLRS and other advanced rocket systems are tipping ‘battle of fires’ in Ukraine’s favour