President Lula’s speech at BRICS Session 3: Environment, COP 30, and Global Health

The multilateral climate and health regimes have been the stage for major mobilization efforts by the Global South.

The three UN conventions adopted here in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 placed sustainable development at the center of global debates on the future of the planet.

We have enshrined the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Even without the historical liabilities of developed countries, the BRICS members have not failed to do their part.

At the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, we have fought together for access to essential medicines and vaccines to overcome the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other afflictions that primarily affect the most vulnerable countries.

At the Cairo and Beijing Conferences, three decades ago, we reaffirmed the human rights of women and girls, including sexual and reproductive health.

Today, denialism and unilateralism are eroding past progress and sabotaging our future.

Global warming is occurring at a faster pace than predicted.

Tropical forests are being pushed to their point of no return.

The Nice Conference, held just weeks ago, made it clear that the ocean is feverish.

A decade after the Paris Agreement, there is a lack of resources for the just and planned transition essential to building a new cycle of prosperity.

Developing countries will be the most impacted by loss and damage.

They are also the least equipped to bear the costs of mitigation and adaptation.

Climate justice means committing to actions that fight hunger and socio-environmental inequalities.

By protecting, conserving, and restoring our territories, we also create opportunities for local communities and indigenous peoples.

The generation of decent jobs, gender equality, and the end of racism in all its forms are imperatives.

The United Arab Emirates Consensus, based on the Global Stocktake evaluating compliance with the Paris Agreement, should serve as the foundation for our implementation actions.

Our challenge is to align actions to avoid exceeding a 1.5-degree increase in the planet’s temperature.

It will be necessary to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency.

It is urgent to promote a just and planned transition to end the use of fossil fuels and achieve zero deforestation.

Part of this challenge is to enable the necessary means of implementation, currently estimated at 1.3 trillion dollars, starting from the 300 billion already agreed upon at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

The Global South is capable of leading a new development paradigm without repeating the mistakes of the past.

We will not be mere suppliers of raw materials.

We need to access and develop technologies that enable participation in all stages of the value chains.

Eighty percent of carbon emissions are produced by fewer than 60 companies.

Most of them operate in the oil, gas, and cement sectors.

The incentives provided by the market run counter to sustainability.

In 2024, the world’s 65 largest banks committed to granting 869 billion dollars to the fossil fuel sector.

Sustainable taxonomies and fair, inclusive carbon accounting units can attract productive, green, and equitable investments.

The BRICS Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, which we adopted today, outlines the necessary sources and alternative models for climate financing.

The Tropical Forests Forever Fund (Fundo Florestas Tropicais para Sempre), which we will launch at COP 30, will reward the ecosystem services provided to the planet.

My friends,

Despite being a human right, a public good, and a driver of development, global health is also deeply affected by poverty and unilateralism.

It is urgent to restore the World Health Organization’s leadership as the legitimate forum for addressing pandemics and defending the health of peoples.

The recent adoption of the Pandemic Agreement is a step in that direction.

BRICS is investing in science and technology transfer to put life first.

In Brazil and around the world, income, education, gender, race, and place of birth determine who gets sick and who dies.

Many of the diseases that kill thousands in our countries, such as Chagas disease and cholera, would have already been eradicated if they affected the Global North.

Implementing SDG 3 — health and well-being — requires fiscal space.

There is no right to health without investment in basic sanitation, adequate nutrition, quality education, decent housing, employment, and income.

The Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, which we will launch today, aims to overcome these systemic inequalities through actions focused on physical and digital infrastructure and capacity building.

The consolidation of the Tuberculosis Research Network, with the important support of the New Development Bank and the World Health Organization, as well as regulatory cooperation on medical products, are concrete examples of how much we have already advanced as a group.

We are leading by example.

Cooperating and acting with solidarity instead of indifference.

Putting human dignity at the center of our decisions.

Thank you very much.