BRICS Brasil Bulletin #21 - Lula Discusses Climate, Global Health, and Sustainable Finance at Opening of BRICS Brasil’s 3rd Session in Rio
The Brazilian president criticizes climate change denial and defends global health, energy transition, and financing for developing countries. Listen to the report and find out more.
Report: Leandro Molina / BRICS
Voice-over: Rebeca Rodrigues
Reporter: At the opening of the third session of BRICS Brasil in Rio de Janeiro, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed topics related to the Environment, COP30, and Global Health. In his speech, he said that the multilateral climate and health regimes had been the stage for major mobilization efforts on the part of the Global South. Brasil’s head of state recalled that the three UN conventions adopted in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 placed sustainable development at the heart of debates about the planet’s future.
Lula: Despite not sharing the historical responsibility of developed nations, BRICS members have done their part. At the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, we have fought together for access to essential medicines and vaccines to overcome the HIV/AIDS epidemic, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases that mainly affect the most vulnerable countries.
Reporter: On the issue of climate change, President Lula said that denial and unilateralism were undermining past progress and sabotaging our future.
Lula: Global warming is occurring at a faster pace than anticipated. Tropical forests are being pushed to their point of no return. A decade after the Paris Agreement, there is a lack of resources for the just and planned transition that is essential for building a new cycle of prosperity. Developing countries will be the most affected by losses and damages.
Reporter: Lula argued that tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency were necessary steps.
Lula: It is urgent to promote a just and planned transition to end the use of fossil fuels and to eliminate deforestation. Part of this challenge is to ensure the means of implementation, currently estimated at USD 1.3 trillion. The BRICS Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, which we adopted today, outlines necessary sources and alternative models for climate financing.
Reporter: The Brazilian president said it was urgent to restore the World Health Organization's role as a legitimate forum for tackling pandemics and defending people's health.
Lula: BRICS is investing in science and in technology transfer in order to put life first. In Brazil and around the world, income, education, gender, race and place of birth determine who gets sick and who dies.
Reporter: Finally, President Lula said there was no right to health without investments in basic sanitation, adequate nutrition, quality education, decent housing, work, and income. He concluded by stating that the Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, which is being launched today, aims to overcome these systemic inequalities through actions focused on physical and digital infrastructure as well as capacity-building.
English version: Enora Lessinger (POET/UFC)
Proofreading: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)