Lula Holds Bilateral Meetings at COP30 Amid Climate Crisis Discussions

Belém, Brazil – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is continuing his agenda of bilateral meetings at the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference on Friday, November 7. Following discussions with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Lula is set to meet with the Prime Ministers of Germany and Portugal, as well as the President of Mozambique.

These meetings center around addressing the climate crisis, with expectations that Germany will announce its contribution to the Forever Tropical Forest Fund (TFFF), a program designed to combine public and private investments to support tropical forest preservation. Currently, 34 countries with tropical forests have endorsed the TFFF declaration, which covers nearly 90% of tropical forest areas in developing nations.

The goal during COP30 is to raise $25 billion from investor countries, potentially multiplying that figure to $125 billion for tropical forest conservation efforts. Brazil has committed to a $1 billion contribution, while Norway has pledged $3 billion over the next ten years, contingent on certain conditions. Indonesia is also set to contribute $1 billion, and France has proposed an investment of up to $577 million by 2030. Meanwhile, Portugal announced a modest contribution of $1 million.

Lula’s first meeting today is scheduled with Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, followed by discussions with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and later with Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo. Yesterday, during his meeting with Macron, both leaders underscored the urgent need to combat climate change and protect forest areas, particularly emphasizing the launch of the TFFF.

They also explored advancements in defense cooperation and science and technology, following Lula’s state visit to Paris. Lula has expressed hopes to finalize the Mercosur agreement with the European Union within this year, during Brazil’s presidency of the bloc. Earlier, Lula met the Prince of Wales, William, as well as Prime Minister Starmer, where he stressed the importance of international funds for forest preservation and called for adherence to commitments made at previous climate conferences.

According to a statement from Brazil’s Planalto Palace, the prince commended Brazil’s initiative, describing it as unprecedented due to the substantial resources it could mobilize. He pledged to promote the TFFF in his global engagements, while Starmer reiterated the UK’s support for the fund since its inception.