Lula Inaugurates Belém Airport and Port Upgrades as U.S. Skips COP30 Leaders’ Summit

Overview

• The president began a weeklong stay in Pará after opening expanded facilities at Belém’s international airport and the requalified Porto de Outeiro ahead of COP30.
• The airport overhaul, a R$450 million investment by Norte da Amazônia Airports, raises annual capacity from about 7.7 million to roughly 13 million passengers and modernizes terminals and airside systems.
• The Porto de Outeiro project extends the pier from 261 to 716 meters, doubles handling capacity to about 80,000 tonnes, and will berth cruise ships used as temporary lodging during the conference.
• The White House confirmed no high‑level U.S. attendance at the leaders’ summit, with expectations of only a low‑level delegation at COP30, a move that drew concern over negotiating weight and some relief among activists wary of disruption.
• Organizers report around 145 delegations confirmed for Belém, including 57 led by heads of state or government, as Lula prepares to open leaders’ sessions and host a lunch on the Tropical Forests Financing Facility.