Lula signs first works for COP30, in Belém – 06/17/2023 – Environment

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) was in Belém this Saturday (17) to sign the work order for the construction of Porto Futuro 2, one of the works announced by the federal government for the 2025 United Nations Conference on Climate Change ( COP 30).

At the event, Lula defended the preservation of the Amazon, but said that “it is important to know that 20 million human beings live here who need to work, need to eat, need to earn a salary, need to have dignity.”

Preparations for COP30 begin amidst a clash in the government over oil exploration off the coast of Amapá, defended by the energy area and by Petrobras, but rejected by the environmental area and by organizations that defend the environment.

“The COP has an important meaning, as there is nothing in Brazil that is more talked about in the world than the Amazon. It is very important to take care of the forest, but it is very important to take care of the people who live in the Amazon”, said Lula.

The president made no reference to specific economic activities. He only said that it is not possible for “loggers from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro” to hire chainsaws to cut down trees over 300 years old in the forest.

Earlier, at a ceremony for the delivery of residences from the Minha Casa Minha Vida program in Abaetetuba (PA), he stated that he insisted on defending the holding of the COP in Belém so that the world could really get to know the Amazon.

“For the first time there will be a discussion on the climate in an Amazonian state,” he said, arguing that Belém will still have to improve its infrastructure to receive the approximately 70,000 visitors expected for the meeting.

“All people in all COPs always talk about the Amazon, but they talk about the Amazon from a book they read, from a comment they watched or from a book they read”, reinforced the Minister of Cities, Jader Filho (MDB ).

During the ceremony in Belém, the Minister of Cities signed an authorization term for works worth R$ 134 million for the construction of the Urban Park of São Joaquim.

Minister Esther Dweck, responsible for the management and innovation of public services, signed a contract for the assignment of a Union space for the construction of the Círio de Nazaré Museum.

The investments join a R$5 billion package announced in early June by the BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) for sustainable projects earmarked for the event.