International community echoes Lula's speech and praises COP in Brazil in 2025

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's speech on Friday, December 1, at the Opening Session of the COP 28 Presidency in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, had a positive impact on several members of the international community attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The world is already convinced of the potential of renewable energies. It's time to tackle the debate about the slow pace of the planet's decarbonization and work towards an economy less dependent on fossil fuels. We must do so urgently and fairly. We will work constructively, with all countries, to pave the way between this COP 28 and the COP 30, which we will host in the heart of the Amazon"

Brazil's Presidente, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

The president's call for immediate and concrete international action was automatically echoed. The prospect of demanding compliance with long-agreed targets and a change in the pattern that allows climate change to cause more damage and harm to the poorest populations was also welcomed by many at the event in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

» Read the full text of President Lula's speech

» High-resolution images (Flickr)

President Lula opened his speech by quoting a phrase from Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai: "The generation that destroys the environment is not the generation that pays the price". Wilber K. Ottichilo, the governor of Vihiga County in Kenya, was touched by the reminder.

"It is so important for a president of a great nation like Brazil to remember what Professor Wangari Maathai said years ago and to link those words with what is happening today. I'm proud that the president of Brazil can fit those words into his speech here in Dubai," said Ottichilo.

For him, the Brazilian effort, which will culminate in COP 30 in Belém (PA) in 2025, is commendable and proves the importance the Brazilian government attaches to combating climate change and the transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

"This is the best thing that can happen. I think we've had a lot of talk at all the climate change conferences and now it's time to move from talk to action. Having COP 30 in the rainforest of Brazil will be of great interest to the world. To see what Brazil has and needs to conserve this forest, which is very important, which is the world's forest," continued the Kenyan.

Also highlighting President Lula's speech was Ghana's Director of Sanitation and Water Resources, Patricia Akua Sampson. "What struck me the most was his passion to get climate change issues properly addressed. Many people have spoken, but he was impactful. And I liked that," said the African country's representative.

Wilber Ottichilo (Kenya), Gail Whiteman (Canada), Patricia Akua (Ghana), David Atkin (England) and Liyang Zhu (China): hope in Lula's message. Photos: Luiz Roberto Magalhães / Secom / PR

I think we've had a lot of talk at all the climate change conferences and now it's time to move from talk to action. Having COP 30 in the rainforest of Brazil will be of great interest to the world"

Wilber K. Ottichilo, Governor of Vihiga County, Kenya

AMAZON AND ARCTIC - Canadian Gail Whiteman is attending COP28 as an observer from the Artic Basecamp Foundation, a Dutch organization working to combat climate change in the Arctic. For her, the election of President Lula represented a welcome break in Brazil's treatment of climate issues in recent years.

"I think the whole international community was relieved when President Lula took office. Not because we want to have one person against the other, but because we all understand that the Amazon is an incredible global asset that will protect the future of humanity," said the Canadian.

"I think that the Brazilian government and President Lula represent the hopes of many, not just within Brazil, but throughout the world. We can't have a safe space for humanity if the Amazon isn't protected. It's wonderful news that Brazil is hosting COP 30," he said.

Whiteman stressed that her job as a scientist is to be aware of the global risk of changes in the Arctic and how this affects the rest of the world. "One of the things we have to do is work to ensure that the issues of the Amazon and the Arctic meet. We have these two super important ecoregions. One is the lungs of the world and the other is the circulatory system," continued Gail Whiteman.

COP 30 - Liyang Zhu, president of the China Association of Circular Economy, the organization that implements the state policy of resource conservation and environmental protection in China, also mentioned Lula and highlighted the importance of holding COP30 in Brazil.

The Brazilian government and President Lula represent the hopes of many, not just within Brazil, but throughout the world. We cannot have a safe space for humanity if the Amazon is not protected"

Gail Whiteman, 

Canadian and Artic Basecamp Foundation observer

"President Lula attaches great importance to the issue of environmental protection and the fight against climate change. It's safe to say that he adopts a pragmatic stance in his attitudes towards climate change and our challenges. At the same time as promoting the development of the economy, he pays great attention to protecting the global environment. Holding COP 30 in Brazil, in the Amazon, is a great idea," said Liyang Zhu.

David Atkin, a British representative of the PRI Association, which works on issues related to responsible investment, pointed out that COP30 in Belém could attract various investments for sustainable projects in Brazil.

"The Principles for Responsible Investment is an association of investors. We represent more than $121 trillion and climate, nature and biodiversity are very important issues for PRI members. President Lula is a very important figure, and we are looking forward to working with our local centers, as we have 140 in Brazil," he said. "As the COP is going to Brazil, we will be looking to bring international investors to Brazil to show the Brazilian story and why it is so important for the future of the planet," concluded David Atkin.