The COP30 Leaders’ Summit opened today in Belém, Brazil, with a resonant message from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who reminded the world that this moment marks a symbolic return to the birthplace of global climate diplomacy.
Thirty years after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the international community gathers once again on Brazilian soil—this time in the heart of the Amazon—to confront the escalating climate crisis and chart a course forward.
Lula’s speech was both a reflection and a rallying cry. He warned that the window for meaningful action is closing rapidly and emphasized that 2025 will be a defining year for multilateralism, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Rather than treating these milestones as ceremonial, he urged leaders to see them as a reckoning. “COP30 will be the COP of truth,” he declared, setting the tone for a summit that promises to be both urgent and transformative.
At the core of Lula’s address was the Brazilian concept of Mutirão—a spirit of collective effort and solidarity. He called on nations to embrace this ethos to bridge divides, inspire cooperation, and drive progress where it is most needed. This spirit of unity was reflected in the major announcements that followed. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) was endorsed by 53 countries, with 19 potential investors already signaling interest. Financial commitments poured in: US$3 billion from Norway, US$1 billion each from Brazil and Indonesia, €500 million from France, US$5 million from the Netherlands for the Facility’s secretariat, and €1 million from Portugal. The scale of support underscored the global recognition of tropical forests as vital to climate stability and biodiversity.
Another key initiative unveiled was the Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience, endorsed by over 40 countries and organizations including FAO, UNEP, and the International Tropical Timber Organization. The declaration positions integrated fire management as a global priority, advocating for a shift from reactive suppression to prevention-based, inclusive, and science-driven strategies. It emphasizes the fusion of modern technology with Indigenous and traditional knowledge, aiming to empower local communities and embed long-term resilience into climate adaptation efforts—particularly within the framework of the TFFF.
COP30, the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will officially take place in Belém from November 10 to 21, 2025. The conference will focus on critical issues such as keeping global warming below 1.5°C, unveiling new national climate plans, and assessing progress on finance commitments made at previous conferences. With the Amazon as both host and symbol, COP30 aims to provide a platform for discussing climate solutions rooted in ecological preservation and social equity.
From Belém to Baku, the message is clear: the path to 1.5°C depends on unity, courage, and action. The Global Mutirão has begun, and the world is watching.
