Lula urges global action to protect oceans: “Either we act, or the planet is at risk”

Following his official agenda in Europe, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took part this Sunday, June 8, in the closing session of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco. The event is linked to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, which will be held in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, and will also be attended by the Brazilian President.

In 2024, wealthy countries reduced Official Development Assistance by 7%. Their military spending, however, increased by 9.4%. This shows that the problem is not a lack of resources. What is lacking is political will and a genuine commitment to finance development”

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Republic of Brazil

Speaking on World Oceans Day, the Brazilian leader stressed the need for the international community to take effective action to conserve and sustainably use marine resources, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda. “Either we act, or we put the planet at risk,” he said.

» Check out President Lula’s full speech

Lula recalled that 80% of international trade is transported by sea. “If it were a country, the ocean would rank as the fifth-largest economy in the world. Each year, it generates 2.6 trillion dollars. The ocean floor harbors vast and incalculable natural resources,” stated the Brazilian President, adding that the issue requires global attention. “SDG 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, is among the least funded of the entire 2030 Agenda. Its implementation faces an estimated annual shortfall of 150 billion dollars. The lack of sufficient funding is a chronic issue for many multilateral initiatives,” he said.

CENTRAL ACTOR — With a coastline of almost 8,000 km, Brazil is a central actor on oceanic issues. The South American country holds a rich marine and coastal biodiversity, as well as several traditional communities that directly depend on the oceans. This year, Brazil will host COP30 in Belém, Pará, which also has the mission to reverse the lack of international commitment with the financing promises to avoid global warming above 1.5º Celsius. This limit has been pointed out by the scientific community as key to avoiding even larger problems related to climate change.

WILL - “Last year, we left COP in Baku with results that fell short of expectations. To change this scenario, the Brazilian Presidency of COP30 and Azerbaijan are working together on a Baku–Belém roadmap. In 2024, wealthy countries reduced Official Development Assistance by 7% while their military spending increased by 9.4%. This shows that the problem is not a lack of resources. What is lacking is political will.”

UNEQUAL CONSEQUENCES — President Lula noted that the consequences of this omission fall more heavily on developing nations. “Among the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, 23 have larger maritime than land territories. Africa has 13 million square kilometers of maritime territory—equivalent to the combined land area of the European Union and the United States. Strengthening the blue economy—making it more diverse and sustainable—contributes to the prosperity of the developing world,” stated the Brazilian President, recalling that the issue was one of the priorities of Brazil’s G20 presidency in 2024.

SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS — Lula pointed to possible solutions linked to a shift in perspective by multilateral institutions and their financing agencies. “International financial institutions have a role to play. We continue to stress the need for stronger, more effective, and better-resourced multilateral development banks. Instruments such as debt-for-development swaps and the issuance of Special Drawing Rights can help mobilize significant resources,” he stressed.

EXAMPLE — For Lula, the adoption by the International Maritime Organization of binding goals to achieve zero carbon emissions in shipping by 2050 is a promising initiative, as it significantly increases the demand for renewable energy. However, he emphasized the need for similar efforts to end plastic pollution in the oceans and to advance the ratification of the new treaty on biodiversity in international waters.

BRICS — In addition to underscoring the relevance of discussions within the G20 and in the lead-up to COP30, Brazil plans to expand the dialogue on sustainable development at the BRICS Summit, which it will host in July in Rio de Janeiro. Lula noted that the BRICS New Development Bank has broadened its focus on climate financing, allocating more than 2.6 billion dollars to water and sanitation projects.

HOMEWORK — The Brazilian President also outlined the paths the country is pursuing in this area. He highlighted the strategy of combining public and private investment; cited the Bolsa Verde program, which provides income support to more than 12,000 families who help preserve marine conservation units; and referred to the Brazilian National Development Bank’s (BNDES) 70-million-dollar portfolio dedicated to the blue economy, with a focus on conservation-oriented projects.

COLLECTIVE ACTION — “We finance projects for marine spatial planning, coastal conservation, and the decarbonization of naval fleets and port infrastructure. We are restoring mangroves and coral reefs, and investing in sustainable fishing and the management of water resources,” Lula said. He took the opportunity to call for a global “mutirão,” a word of Indigenous origin symbolizing collective efforts for the common good. “The planet can no longer bear the weight of unfulfilled promises. There are no isolated solutions to challenges that demand collective action,” the Brazilian President concluded.

AGENDA — Throughout Sunday, President Lula had other official engagements. Before delivering his speech at the closing of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, he met with Prince Albert II of Monaco. Following the forum, he had lunch with the President of the European Council, António Costa.