GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) â€" Norway has pledged to deposit $40 million into a World Bank fund as part of an ongoing agreement to help Guyana preserve its lush Amazon rain forest.
The South American country is being rewarded for maintaining very low rates of deforestation, lower than previously anticipated, Erik Solheim, Norway's environment minister, said at a ceremony late Thursday.
Norway previously had deposited $30 million into the account as part of a 2009 agreement under which Guyana could receive up to $250 million by 2015 as an incentive to protect its forests through sustainable mining, timber harvesting and other projects.
Guyana has sought up to $580 million a year from nations and institutions to protect its 37 million acres (15 million hectares) of jungle.
Norway's initial deposit of $30 million will not be released until both countries agree on how the money will be used.
"We do not want to interfere with how Guyana spends its money, but there must be strict standards for anti-corruption, and also strict international standards for environment and social concerns," Solheim said.
Guyanan President Bharrat Jagdeo praised Norway for following through on its promises and said the money is a big boost for the country.
"It can put a computer in every home and give Internet access to every home," he said.
But opposition leaders and rights groups say some of the projects likely to be funded are designed to buy votes for this year's general elections. One of the proposed projects includes providing electricity to indigenous communities via solar and hydroelectric power.
Solheim planned to meet with those groups Friday to hear their concerns about possible corruption.
"We are trying to add a new means of partnership in development and the environment," he said. "There will be mistakes, things may take time, but we are also making history."
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