The fight against climate change cannot be won through environmentalism alone. Brazil, as the host, is championing a central, indispensable idea: to tackle climate change, we must improve lives and create economic opportunities for the local populations who are the guardians of our vital ecosystems.
We must dismantle the false choice that forces the world’s most vulnerable to decide between putting food on the table and preserving the forests, oceans, and biodiversity that sustain us all. They must be empowered to do both.
This is not a new concept. It is the very essence of sustainable development, a principle Brazil placed on the global agenda at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Over three decades later, it is more relevant than ever. The urgent transition to a sustainable global economy must be understood not as a replacement for this ideal, but as its most critical modern application. This is why justice and fairness are not optional extras, but the very core of effective climate action.
It is from this conviction that Brazil has shaped its presidency of COP30. We are proud to continue the legacy of leadership from previous presidencies, particularly the remarkable work done by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh at COP27. Egypt’s presidency set a high bar for ambition and, crucially, for turning commitments into tangible outcomes for the developing world. We build upon that foundation.
Our focus is on closing three persistent gaps that hold humanity back: the chasm between commitments and implementation; between political ambition and scientific necessity; and between immense needs and grossly inadequate finance.
To bridge these gaps, we are putting forward key initiatives.
First is the Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and People-Centred Climate Action. Climate change is already devastating farms and livelihoods. This declaration, built on three pillars, seeks to place human dignity at the heart of the climate response. It calls for social protection systems that act as climate shock absorbers, direct support for small farmers who feed the world, and just transitions for communities in ecosystems like the Amazon, ensuring they benefit from green jobs and a sustainable bioeconomy.
The message is clear: every dollar invested in climate action must also strengthen human development. Without robust global financial support, the most vulnerable nations will continue to pay the highest price for a crisis they did not create. The fulfilment of financial commitments by developed countries remains a non-negotiable pillar of climate justice.
Second, we are launching the “Belém Commitment for Sustainable Fuels”—or “Belém Four Times.” This is an ambitious, practical proposal to at least quadruple the global production and use of sustainable fuels like biofuels, green hydrogen, and synthetic fuels by 2035. This is crucial for decarbonizing sectors like aviation and shipping. Brazil speaks from experience, with one of the world’s cleanest energy matrices and a nationwide adoption of biofuels demonstrating that this transition is both feasible and beneficial.
Third, we present a paradigm shift for conservation: the “Tropical Forests Forever Fund” (TFFF). This is not another aid program. It is a $125 billion investment fund designed to transform standing forests into valuable, long-term economic assets. It will pay countries for performance in protecting their tropical forests. The World Bank has agreed to host it, and its governance ensures that forested nations have an equal voice. Brazil has pledged $1 billion, and Indonesia has joined as both a beneficiary and an investor. This demonstrates emerging economies leading by example, but let us be clear: the TFFF is a complementary channel for ambition, not a substitute for the core financial obligations of developed nations under the UN climate convention.
Building on these initiatives, we expect COP30 to deliver a clear roadmap for reforming climate finance, making it more accessible and predictable. Through the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap and a Circle of Finance Ministers, we are working to mobilize the trillions of dollars needed annually, focusing on enabling developing countries to act without sinking into debt.
This vision is already becoming a reality in Brazil. We have cut Amazon deforestation by nearly 50% since 2022 while expanding renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. We are proving that climate action can be the engine for social justice and shared prosperity.
At COP30, we invite all nations to join us on this necessary path. And we count on them—each according to their capacities and responsibilities—to ensure this path is accessible to everyone. Our future depends on it.
* Paulino Franco de Carvalho Neto, Ambassador of Brazil to Egypt
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