Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the forthcoming Roman Catholic Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region for (1) the survival of indigenous people, (2) the conservation of the tropical rainforest, (3) bio-diversity, and (4) responsible human development, across state frontiers in that region.

We welcome the Catholic Church's focus on cultural, environmental, economic and social issues in the Amazon, and will consider the outcome of the Synod with interest. The UK is working with Brazil to help ensure it continues to protect the Amazon and has invested nearly £120 million through the International Climate Fund on projects to limit deforestation, prevent forest fires and implement the Forestry Code in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes.

We are also committed to promoting and defending the human rights of all individuals and regularly participate in discussions regarding human rights in various United Nations fora, including the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.