A flurry of reports, including government sources, have confirmed that the Yasuní-ITT proposal will be signed on August 3rd. They even give a place and an exact time: 11am in the Hero’s Room.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa announced to Efe on Friday that the contract would be signed on that date with the UNDP, that the report is 200 pages long, and that it will make Ecuador a “post-petroleum” country. (Radio Sucre)
The papers will make the agreement between the UNDP and Ecuador official. After that there’s the task of procuring the money that will allow Ecuador to keep the oil underground. Germany is so far the only country to have promised an exact amount, while at least 50 other countries have expressed interest in contributing. (Even the US, in the wake of the BP spill, wants to be a part of it.)
Espinosa added that Nigeria and Guatemala want to try the initiative in their own countries.
So keep your eyes open next Tuesday. This is the most exact information we’ve received regarding the signing of these documents. If it happens it may be a great step towards a “post-petroleum” world.
david (isaac) backer 