President Lula Announces Belem as the Ideal Location for COP30
Belem, the vibrant Amazonian city in Brazil, has been officially chosen as the host city for the highly anticipated COP30 climate change summit, scheduled to take place in November 2025. The announcement came from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who expressed his enthusiasm for the event in a video released on Friday. Lula, along with the Foreign Relations Minister and the Governor of Para state, where Belem is situated, emphasized the significance of hosting the summit in a city located in the heart of the world’s largest rainforest.
Brazil’s Commitment to Tackling the Climate Crisis Emphasized
As a strong advocate for environmental issues, Lula had previously pledged to make efforts to bring the United Nations climate talks to a city within the Amazon. His commitment to tackling the climate crisis was evident when he attended last year’s COP27 in Egypt as president-elect. The upcoming talks in 2023 are scheduled to be held in Dubai.
Reflecting on his past experiences at COPs in various global locations, including Egypt, Paris, and Copenhagen, Lula recognized the overwhelming focus on the Amazon region during these discussions. With a desire to provide firsthand knowledge of the Amazon’s ecological importance, Lula proposed hosting the COP30 summit in an Amazonian state. The decision to select Belem as the host city aligns with this vision, allowing participants to witness and understand the true essence of the Amazon.
Belem’s Importance as an Amazonian City Highlighted
Belem, Brazil’s second most populous city in the Amazon region after Manaus, has previously showcased its capacity to host major international events. The city successfully hosted several matches during the 2014 World Cup, demonstrating its infrastructure and logistical capabilities. Now, Belem’s selection as the host city for COP30 further solidifies its significance as a global hub for environmental discussions and actions.
The COP30 summit in Belem is expected to attract world leaders, policymakers, scientists, and activists from around the globe, providing a platform to address pressing environmental issues. With Brazil’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis reinforced through this selection, the event holds the potential to facilitate meaningful dialogues, collaboration, and the formulation of crucial environmental policies.