Brazil is back

Brazil is back! This was the song sung during a speech given by President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at COP27 in Egypt.

During his speech at COP27 on Wednesday (16) and with the sound of “O Brasil voltou” (Brazil is back) as background, the elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed to the world that Brazil will again play a fundamental role in the fight against the climate crisis.

The elected president’s speech had a great repercussion in the international press, with several communication means covering his participation in the COP27, held in Egypt.

In general, foreign journalists complimented the future president’s declarations, such as the New York Times, which classified Lula as “exuberant” and that he would have ” thrilled the meeting”.

This was Lula’s first international speech after his victory in the general elections at the end of October. Lula was invited to participate in COP27 even before he assumed the post.

He used the opportunity to preach a global union around climate issues and to demand that the “rich countries” fulfill their promises to contribute to the cause.

Lula stated that the world is “in a hurry” for Brazil to take part again in negotiations about the future of the planet and referred to some of his campaign promises, such as zero deforestation in the Amazon and stimulating the sustainable development in Brazil, in cooperation with agribusiness.

On Thursday (17), the elected president will meet the representatives of the governments of Norway and Germany, the main sponsors of the Amazon Fund. The purpose of the meeting is to give concrete signals to the two European countries that Brazil wants the urgent reestablishment of the mechanism created precisely to collaborate in the fight against deforestation in the country.

Lula, however, made it clear that any foreign initiative cannot mean any threat to Brazil’s sovereignty and that it will be up to Brazil to pilot this mechanism.

Lula wants to re-position the country as a leader in combating the climate crisis,  attracting international investment and creating methods of collaboration to zero deforestation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In his speech, he affirmed that he intends to bring the COP30, which will take place in 2025, to Brazil. More specifically to Amazonas, a Brazilian state located in the heart of the Amazon.

Protagonism and leadership role

The gap left by the “current ex-president” still active, Jair Bolsonaro, has led Lula to place himself as a protagonist even before his government begins.

By the way, Jair Bolsonaro, who has not been seen since he lost the elections, is not well seen internationally. Not that his absence is missed, by no means, I even believe that it is good for the planet, but it is bad to have a president who does not represent the national interests.

Where there is lack of power, is natural that someone leads, and Lula has been done it very well, putting Brazil back on the world’s radar.

The future president has made it clear that his government will prioritize the fight against the climate crisis and deforestation. In an emphatic manner, he also demonstrates that he will emphasize sustainable development and the fight against starvation.

Starvation, which unfortunately returned to the map of Brazil after having been eradicated by himself, Lula.

Translated by: Debora Camargo [email protected]