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Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém summit opens ahead of the UN's 30th climate summit (Cop30). I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to the conference to ensure collective dedication to taking swift measures with the necessary speed that the environmental emergency requires.

Should we not progress past rhetoric to tangible steps, public trust will diminish – not only in the Cops, and in international cooperation and international politics more broadly. This is the reason for convening leaders to the Amazon: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the moment we demonstrate our collective dedication's gravity to the planet.

People have demonstrated their capacity to conquer major obstacles through united efforts and is guided by science. The ozone layer was safeguarded by us. Worldwide actions during the Covid-19 crisis showed that decisive global action is possible with bravery and governmental determination.

The Earth Summit was held in Brazil back in 1992. Agreements on climate, biodiversity, and desertification were endorsed, and adopted principles that defined a fresh model for protecting Earth and humankind. Over the past 33 years, these gatherings have produced important agreements and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – from ending deforestation by 2030 to tripling renewable energy capacity.

More than three decades later, global attention returns to Brazil to confront climate change. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held deep within the Amazon jungle. It offers a chance for leaders, envoys, researchers, campaigners, and reporters to observe the Amazon's actual conditions. Our aim is for global observation of the forests' real status, the planet’s largest river basin, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or annual gatherings for negotiators. They must be moments of contact with reality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.

To confront this crisis together, financial support is essential. And we must recognise that the concept of shared yet varied duties stays as the fixed basis of any climate pact. That is why the global south demands greater access to resources – not as aid, but as fairness. Rich countries have benefited the most from fossil fuel economies. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not just through pledges but by repaying what they owe.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. Within just two years, Amazon deforestation has been cut by half by us, showing that concrete climate action is possible.

In Belém, we will launch a novel program for forest conservation: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A genuine win-win approach for addressing environmental issues. Setting an example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we anticipate similarly bold pledges from other countries.

We also demonstrated leadership through being the second nation to present a new nationally determined contribution (NDC). Brazil has vowed to cut its emissions from 59% to 67%, covering all greenhouse gases and all sectors of the economy. With this mindset, we call on all countries to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial for achieving Brazil's climate goals. Our energy matrix is among the cleanest in the world, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Channeling oil earnings to finance a just, orderly and equitable energy transition is vital. In the long run, oil companies worldwide, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

Individuals should be the focus of political decisions about climate and the energy transition. We must recognise that the most vulnerable sectors of our society are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies must aim to combat inequality.

We cannot forget that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and fuels for cooking, and 673 million people still live with hunger. To address this, we are introducing in Belém a declaration on hunger, poverty and climate. Our pledge to combat climate change must be directly linked to the fight against hunger.

It is also fundamental that we push for changes in international governance. Currently, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis within the UN Security Council. Established to maintain peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore to advocate for reforming this body. During Cop30, we will push for establishing a UN climate council connected to the General Assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the force and legitimacy to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and a practical move towards overcoming the present deadlock of the multilateral system.

During each environmental summit, we hear many promises yet few concrete actions follow. The era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the time for action plans has arrived. That is why today we begin the “Cop of truth”.