The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), the Brazilian Navy and the National Center for Monitoring and Alerting of Natural Disasters (Cemaden) signed this Friday (7), in Belém, a protocol of intentions for cooperation in prevention, monitoring and response to natural disasters.
The signing took place on the ship Atlântico, anchored in the port of the capital of Pará, which will function as an operational base for the Armed Forces during COP30.
THE partnership is born in the face of the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events in the country, worsened by climate change. The document provides for the integration of technical, scientific and financial capabilities of institutions to strengthen the national response to risks and emergencies.
According to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Luciana Santos, highlighted that the agreement aims to “save lives in the face of this threat that we experience in the world and in Brazil, climate change”.
“We have the common purpose of preventing disasters and responding in the best possible way to extreme events. We see that rains are more intense, as are floods, droughts, heat waves that mainly impact the poorest communities. These events tend to intensify and we therefore need to act in an integrated manner based on science and technology”, he added.
BNDES
Belém (PA) 11/07/2025 Navy, BNDES and Cemaden sign protocol of intentions to prevent natural disasters in Belém (PA). Photo Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
BNDES will support with technical and financial structure. The protocol also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforces Brazil’s commitment to the 2015 Sendai Framework, which guides the reduction of disaster risks in the world.
“We are committing to putting R$30 million into this process. And we are committed to creating a budget program of R$50 million, with the support of other partners putting in another R$20 million, to study in depth, first, the responses that are in the emergency and intelligence plan. And the naval forces will be able to help a lot, because they are the only 100% professional troops, they are present in the most serious cases, with military personnel who have been engaged for a long time”, said the president of BNDES, Aloizio Merchant.
According to Mercadante, the idea is to invite other banks, such as Banco do Brasil and Caixa, to join the project, as well as private companies.
Navy
The Navy will provide its expertise as an operational arm of the State, with the Naval Marine Operational Group – Civil Defense.
“The protocol constitutes a significant milestone in the consolidation of an integrated model of prevention, monitoring and response to environmental disasters. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the document reaffirms the country’s commitment to strengthening national resilience”, said the Navy Commander, Squadron Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen.
“The union of operational, scientific and development capabilities brings a coordinated defense, science and development effort, and symbolizes the convergence of purposes in favor of safeguarding life, sustainable development and the reaffirmation of the State’s permanent duty to serve the population”, he added.
Cemaden
Cemaden, linked to MCTI, will contribute to monitoring and predictive modeling (a technique that uses statistics and algorithms to make predictions).
“We were able to warn of a disaster in São Sebastião 72 hours in advance, the floods in Rio Grande do Sul six days in advance, but we still need to do more, we need to move forward. So, with a force as important as the Navy we will be able to improve responses to disasters in our country. And, with the support of BNDES, we will be able to advance in technological development, in research, in new technologies”, said the director of Cemaden, Regina Alvalá.
Amazon and soldier Pedro Teixeira
The agreement ceremony paid homage to Portuguese soldier Pedro Teixeira, whose expedition along the Amazon River in the 17th century was decisive for the incorporation of the Amazon into the territory that would become Brazil.
A BNDES plaque was delivered to the Navy Command. The rector of UFPA, Gilmar Pereira da Silva, announced the creation of a commission to deepen studies on Teixeira.
