Brazil must show Amazon protection is working, top donor Norway says

FILE PHOTO: A charred trunk is seen on a tract of the Amazon jungle, that was recently burned by loggers and farmers, in Porto Velho, Brazil August 23, 2019. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

OSLO (Reuters) - Brazil must demonstrate it can reduce the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon before Norway will resume payments in support of preserving the world's largest rainforest, the Norwegian environment minister told Reuters.

Norway worked closely with Brazil to protect the vulnerable ecosystem between 2008 and 2018, paying $1.2 billion into the Amazon Fund, which pays Brazil to prevent, monitor and combat deforestation. Oslo has by far been the biggest donor.