Lula Inaugurates Belém Airport and Port Upgrades for COP30 as U.S. Scales Back Presence

Overview

• On Nov. 1, Lula opened the expanded Belém International Airport (about R$450 million) and requalified the Porto de Outeiro (about R$233 million) as core COP30 infrastructure.
• The airport’s annual capacity rises from roughly 7.7 million to about 13 million passengers, while the port’s pier extends to 716 meters with new berths and support works.
• Authorities prepared Outeiro to receive cruise ships that will provide temporary lodging for COP30 participants as part of broader logistics measures.
• The White House confirmed it will send no high‑level officials to the leaders’ meetings, pointing to a low‑profile U.S. delegation for the conference and raising concerns about reduced negotiating leverage among some groups.
• On Nov. 2, Lula visited indigenous and riverine communities in the Tapajós region, recorded COP messaging, and pledged to deliver electricity solutions to villages without power alongside ministers Marina Silva and Sônia Guajajara.