Overview
- UN climate chief Simon Stiell opened the summit urging countries to move “much, much faster” from pledges to measurable implementation.
- Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for a decisive rebuttal of climate denial and framed the gathering as a “conference of truth.”
- Delegations from more than 190 countries began two weeks of negotiations as scientists warned current plans would cut emissions by only about 5% by 2030 versus the 40–45% needed.
- Host Brazil launched a Tropical Forest Fund, with Germany pledging a substantial contribution as finance, adaptation, and loss‑and‑damage support top the agenda.
- The United States, under President Donald Trump, did not send a high‑level delegation, reflecting a reduced U.S. role while Brazil and other emerging economies assert priorities on forests and funding.