Today in the heart of the Amazon, President Lula took a hugely important step, with the Tropical Forest Forever Facility - a new push to make standing forests more valuable than cleared land.
Writing on LinkedIn, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the new initiative, saying it "creates long-term, predictable support for the countries and communities who protect them."
He added: "Forests are the lungs of our planet. They protect biodiversity, store carbon, regulate rainfall, sustain livelihoods, and help keep the 1.5 degree goal within reach. Every economy depends on them. That’s why the Tropical Forest Forever Facility is so important. Because it begins to match financial incentives with reality."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called today's launch "a statement of solidarity and hope." Read his full remarks here.
Addressing world leaders at the opening of the Leaders’ Summit in Belém, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made the case that a clean energy revolution has taken hold.
“Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of power – and the fastest growing sources of electricity in history,” he said. “Last year, almost all new power capacity came from renewables. The clean-energy economy is creating jobs and driving development. It is reshaping geopolitics – delivering energy security and price stability. And it is connecting millions to clean and affordable energy for the first time.”
The Secretary-General noted in his speech that the economics have shifted. In 2024, investors poured 2 trillion US dollars into clean energy – 800 billion more than fossil fuels.
“Clean energy is winning on price, performance, and potential – offering the solutions to transform our economies and protect our populations,” he said.
He also called on world leaders to move faster – and move together, adding that this COP must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery.
The two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit kicks off today bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations to discuss pressing climate change challenges and commitments.
The Summit is part of the official activities of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which runs from November 10 to 21. Convened by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the meeting represents a key milestone in the process of mobilization and international dialogue on the climate agenda. Both the Summit and COP30 provide a platform for world leaders to raise ambition, translate climate pledges into concrete, real-economy outcomes.
Throughout both days of the Leaders' Summit, heads of delegation will take the floor in the Plenary Hall to deliver their formal speeches on climate. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations will address the Leaders’ Summit today.
The opening plenary will be streamed on UN Web TV from 10:30 – 17:30 Belém time today here.