Lula opens UN debate and highlights COP30 as a milestone for global climate action

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , opened this Tuesday (24) the general debate of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) , in New York, with a speech focused on the climate urgency and preparation for COP30 , which will be held in November 2025, in Belém do Pará .

Lula stated that the conference will be a historic opportunity to place the Amazon at the center of global discussions on climate change. The president emphasized that Brazil has made progress in reducing deforestation and building an ecological transition agenda, but called for a greater financial commitment from developed countries .

“Goodwill alone is not enough. The richest nations must fulfill their climate finance promises and support developing countries, which are most affected by the environmental crisis,” said Lula, referring to the lack of resources allocated to climate adaptation.

The president emphasized that COP30 will not only be a diplomatic event, but also a milestone in the social participation and protagonism of forest peoples , including indigenous and traditional communities. He said Brazil is prepared to welcome world leaders and present concrete sustainability solutions.

In his speech, Lula also advocated for the strengthening of multilateralism , criticizing unilateral policies and warning of the need for global cooperation in the face of challenges such as food insecurity, social inequalities and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Lula also emphasized that the Amazon is strategic for global climate regulation and that its preservation should be treated as a shared responsibility. “COP30 will be the moment to prove whether we are truly committed to future generations,” he stated.

With Brazil’s opening address, the UN General Assembly begins a week of debates that will bring together heads of state and representatives from nearly 200 countries. The meeting will serve as a preview for the climate negotiations in Belém, reinforcing expectations that COP30 will become a watershed moment in the fight against global warming.

With information from: UN News