Lula Opens COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém With Push for Tropical Forests Fund and $1.3 Trillion Finance Roadmap

Overview

• Lula opened the two‑day leaders’ meeting in Belém, framing COP30’s political kickoff around financing and delivery, and warning that geopolitical conflicts are siphoning resources from climate action.
• Brazil formally launched the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, seeded with a US$1 billion Brazilian pledge, as talks continue to secure additional public and private contributions toward a US$125 billion target.
• The COP29–COP30 “Baku to Belém” roadmap was presented to guide mobilization of at least US$1.3 trillion per year to 2035, including options such as levies on aviation and maritime transport, financial transaction taxes, SDR reallocations and MDB reforms.
• Diplomatic outreach intensified with Lula’s bilaterals involving Prince William, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron, plus a leaders’ lunch to align countries on the new forests facility.
• The gathering features broad international participation but notable absences of senior U.S. representation and other major emitters, as Belém’s first‑time hosting highlights both the Amazon setting and logistical strains.