Belem, November 6, 2025

President Lula (PT) defended the phase-out of fossil fuels today at the opening of the summit of heads of state and government in Belém, which precedes COP30. In a 30 minute speech, he challenged rich countries and emphasized that the voices of the peoples of the Amazon must be heard.

Right in the beginning, he described the richness of the Amazon rainforest: a landscape through which thousands of rivers and streams flow. The plant and animal species that live there make up the most species-rich biome on Earth. The Amazon is also home to millions of people and hundreds of indigenous peoples, whose lives are marked by the deceptive dilemma between prosperity and nature conservation. According to Lula, they combine the legitimate pursuit of a dignified life with the important task of protecting one of humanity's greatest natural heritage sites in their everyday lives.

Brazil's president criticized the lack of joint global action and emphasized the need to take scientific findings on climate change into account. Lula also underscored the urgency of climate justice and declared that Belém symbolizes efforts toward sustainable and inclusive development.

Lula receives applause and approval from the international diplomatic community to implement the goals of COP28 now, at COP30.