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Foreword

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States is honored to present the document "Binational Programs for Border Cooperation". This publication was requested by delegates of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in meetings held between those countries in September 1991, in Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia, and again during the Technical Seminar on Protected Areas and Sustainable Development held in Mont Albert, Quebec, Canada, June 25 - 30, 1992.

The document summarizes the objectives, methodological approach, and principal conclusions and recommendations of the binational plans, programs, and projects being executed by the Amazonian countries with the cooperation of the General Secretariat of the OAS.

The general purpose of the border plans and programs is to create conditions for sustainable development. The plans also seek to explore the development potential of the border areas in terms of population, ecosystems, and natural resources, with a view to incorporating these areas into the countries' economies. They are intended not only to deal with the specific problems of each border area, but also to serve as models for extending environ mentally sound development planning to other parts of the Amazon region.

The General Secretariat is pleased to support the countries of the Amazon Basin in their efforts to obtain a better understanding of the area and an acceleration of the process of integration, development, and conservation of the Amazon region.

João Clemente Baena Soares
Secretary General

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