Lula announces new environmental measures and reinforces commitment to the environment during High-Level Segment of COP15 in Mato Grosso do Sul

The President of the Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, took part in the High-Level Segment this Sunday (March 22) of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15 Conference). At the event, he highlighted that the Convention conveys a simple but powerful message: migration is natural. “Protecting these animals means protecting life itself on the planet. The survival of these species depends on collective action,” he said.

During the session, the Brazilian President also signed the decree expanding the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park and the Taiamã Ecological Station, in the state of Mato Grosso, and creating the Córregos dos Vales do Norte de Minas Sustainable Development Reserve, in the state of Minas Gerais. In total, more than 148,000 hectares are now under protection.

Through the creation and expansion of federal Conservation Units in the Pantanal (Mato Grosso) and Cerrado (Minas Gerais), the Government of Brazil, through an initiative led by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change [Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança do Clima / MMA] and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation [Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade / ICMBio], strengthens the protection of biodiversity and water resources, promotes ecological connectivity, and values the livelihoods and ways of life of traditional communities.

This measure represents concrete progress for the conservation of the Pantanal, one of Brazil’s least protected biomes, located along an important route for migratory species, and was therefore chosen to host COP15. Its natural cycle of droughts and floods forms a vast network of rivers, lagoons, floodplains, and vegetated areas that change throughout the year. This dynamic creates a great diversity of habitats, offering food, shelter, breeding sites, and resting areas for many resident and migratory species.

In addition to protecting the Cerrado, considered the cradle of Brazil’s waters and threatened by deforestation and fires, the creation of the new Conservation Unit in Minas Gerais recognizes the historic struggle of traditional geraizeira communities of the Cerrado, ensuring their ways of life, the sustainable use of the territory, and the protection of the natural resources that guarantee their permanence and dignity.

“By crossing continents and connecting distant ecosystems, these species show that nature does not recognize the limits between States. The jaguar moves across nearly all preserved territories of the Americas in search of safe areas to hunt and reproduce. Like it, every year, millions of birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and even insects cross continents and oceans. These journeys connect ecosystems, preserve natural cycles, and ensure the balance that makes life possible,” Lula said.

Also present at the High-Level Segment, the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, emphasized that Paraguay is convinced that protecting migratory species is not only an environmental task, but a development decision. “Ensuring the stability of natural systems means ensuring the stability of our peoples, recognizing the human right to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. In line with this vision, Paraguay has adopted concrete targets to safeguard its natural heritage, understanding that protecting migratory species means acting on territories, habitats, and landscapes that sustain life cycles,” stated Peña.

CMS COP15 Conference — The CMS COP15 Conference will be held in Brazil from March 23 to 29, 2026, in Campo Grande (MS). For the first time, the country will be at the center of the global debate on biodiversity and wildlife conservation. The Government of Brazil is organizing the event. The conference will bring together representatives of governments, scientists, international organizations, and civil society. Over the course of one week, more than 2,000 participants will discuss challenges and solutions for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats, as well as their migratory routes.

The high-level international debate invites the 133 Parties to the CMS to assess the status of migratory species, define priorities for the coming years, and take joint decisions on the policies, actions, and investments needed to preserve migration and prevent biodiversity loss.

PRIORITIES — During the session, President Lula reaffirmed that climate change, water pollution, extractive activities, and infrastructure projects without proper planning are growing challenges. In this context, Brazil’s COP15 presidency has established three priorities.

“First, to engage with the principles enshrined in the Climate, Desertification, and Biodiversity Conventions, such as common but differentiated responsibilities. Second, to work to expand and mobilize financial resources, create funds, and develop innovative multilateral mechanisms, especially for developing countries. Third, to broaden adherence. The Pantanal Declaration, which we are adopting today, calls for more countries to become effectively engaged in protecting species and migratory routes,” Lula said.

LATIN AMERICA — The Brazilian President also reinforced the importance of regional integration. For him, the theme of the High-Level Segment highlights something essential: “there will be no lasting prosperity in Latin America without protecting our biodiversity.” He added: “From the Amazon to the Cerrado, from the Pantanal to the Andes, from tropical forests to coastal zones, essential ecological corridors are formed for global climate balance.”

“For nearly 20 years, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay have maintained a Memorandum for the Conservation of Migratory Birds that protects 11 species. Latin America and the Caribbean are pioneers in the adoption of the Escazú Agreement, on environmental democracy, social justice, and the protection of those who defend the environment,” Lula emphasized.

BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE — President Lula stated that, until recently, Brazil’s international image in environmental matters faced serious challenges, directly affecting the country’s economic and trade relations. He added that since 2023, Brazil has chosen a new path, guided by the conviction that conserving and producing sustainably is not only possible, but necessary. During this period, he noted that “We rebuilt the institutional framework and environmental policies that had been dismantled” and, in a short time, achieved significant results, including cutting deforestation in the Amazon in half and reducing fires in the Pantanal by more than 90 percent. The president also highlighted efforts to place Brazil back at the center of multilateral climate discussions by presiding over and hosting Climate COP30.

“This COP15 takes place at a moment of major geopolitical tensions. Unilateral actions, violations of sovereignty, and summary executions are becoming the norm. The history of humanity is also a history of migration, displacement, bonds, and connections. Instead of walls and hate speech, we need reception policies and a strong, renewed multilateralism. Let this COP15 be a space for collective progress in defense of nature and humanity,” concluded the Brazilian President.