Lula participated in the panel “Brazil’s vision on climate and the environment” during COP27. Photo: Mídia NINJA

By Teca Curio for NINJA’s special coverage of COP27.

The president-elect of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a historic and powerful speech at the official panel of COP 27, a speech of hope and solidarity.

Lula began by saying that the invitation to be at the Conference was not extended to him but to Brazil, and he sees that the world misses Brazil. “We are back”, he affirmed.

The president’s speech was strong, demanding a position from the UN and developed countries so that they comply with the agreements made at COP 15 and reinforcing that Brazil is back to play this role of demanding that the agreements come out of the paper.

“In 2009, the countries present at COP 15 in Copenhagen committed to mobilize 100 billion dollars a year, starting in 2020, to help the least developed countries to face climate change. This commitment has not been and is not being fulfilled.”

According to Lula, Brazil went through one of the most difficult elections, but that the people chose democracy and his government is committed to climate security. He also remembered that between 2004 and 2013 Brazil reduced Amazon deforestation by 83% and now intends to resume preservation policies.

Lula’s speech touched the audience and, in many moments, he was interrupted by applauses and shouts of support and solidarity. Peace among peoples and the fight against hunger were highlights of the speech.

Lula reinforced his commitment to building a more just and united world in order to find a sustainable solution to combat the advance of climate change.

“I am here today to say that Brazil is ready to join again in the efforts to build a healthier planet. Of a more just world, capable of welcoming with dignity the totality of its inhabitants – and not just a privileged minority.”

Closing his speech, Lula committed himself to management with the highest profile structure to think about actions to combat the climate crisis, to resume and strengthen the inspection and monitoring bodies, scrapped during the current government, punishing illegal activities, such as illegal mining and logging.

He also announced the creation of the Ministry of the Original Peoples, and that these will be the protagonists of the preservation of the Amazon and of the Brazilian biomes. At the end, the president also made a request that COP 30 be hosted in Brazil and announced that he will make every effort for the Amazon region to host the Conference.