President Lula calls on world leaders to prioritise climate over conflict at COP30

At the opening of COP30 in Belém, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a strong call for global unity to tackle climate change and confront misinformation. Addressing delegates in the Amazonian city, Lula urged world leaders to “defeat” those who deny scientific reality, warning that climate scepticism and false narratives continue to obstruct international cooperation.

“In the age of misinformation, obscurantists reject not only scientific evidence but also the advances of multilateralism,” he said. “They control algorithms, sow hatred, and spread fear. They attack institutions, science, and universities. It is time to inflict a new defeat on the deniers.”

Lula also turned his attention to global military spending, questioning the priorities of world powers. “If the men who wage war were at COP30, it would be much cheaper to spend $1.3 trillion a year to end the climate problem than $2.7 trillion to wage war as they did last year,” he said, contrasting the vast cost of conflict with the resources needed to combat climate change.

Although leaders from major economies such as the US, China, and India were absent, Lula called for decisive progress toward the Paris Agreement’s targets and greater financial support for developing nations. He also highlighted the significance of Belem as COP30’s host city, deep in the Amazon and home to communities where many still lack basic sanitation, a reminder that climate justice and human development must go hand in hand.