Lula calls for Japan’s “firm commitment” to COP30
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on Tuesday (Mar. 25) for Japan’s “firm commitment” to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be held in November in Belém, state capital of Pará. The president is in the Asian country and spoke at a dinner offered to him and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
“The values we share include democracy, peace, multilateralism, and sustainable development,” the Brazilian leader said, recalling the speech given by Emperor Naruhito at the 8th World Water Forum in Brasília in 2018, when he was still crown prince.
“[Emperor Naruhito] called on the international community to prioritize the sustainable provision of water and sanitation. His concerns could not be more topical and relevant,” he said.
Home to the world’s largest rainforest and freshwater reserve, Brazil is also committed to a model of sustainability based on social inclusion, he went on to say.
Earlier this month, Brazil and Japan held the 23rd Informal Meeting on Further Actions against Climate Change, known as the Japan–Brazil Dialogue, which brought together in Tokyo representatives from more than 30 countries. Delegates debated themes for COP30 ranging from financing to climate adaptation, including accelerating global climate action.
For the past 23 years, the two nations have held the first informal dialogue of the year for negotiators of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Diplomatic ties
During his speech at the dinner, President Lula also celebrated the 130 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, describing Japan’s contribution to the Brazilian economy, agriculture, industrialization, and culture as “immeasurable.”
“[Japan’s contribution] extends from automobile manufacturers to the development of the cerrado [biome]; from cooking to jiu-jitsu; from [São Paulo’s] Liberdade district to the haikus of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Paulo Leminski, Érico Veríssimo, and Millôr Fernandes; from Manabu Mabe’s abstract paintings to Tomie Ohtake’s undulating forms,” he said.
The president also noted that Brazil is home to the largest Nikkei community outside Japan, with around 2 million people, while Japan is home to the fifth largest Brazilian community abroad, with around 200 thousand people.
“Many Brazilians have also crossed the world to live in Japan. Today they make up a significant community, whose creative strength adds to Japan’s innovative spirit,” he declared.
This is President Lula’s fifth visit to Japan, but his first state visit.
In June, Princess Kako of Akishino will visit Brazil to celebrate the Japan–Brazil Friendship Exchange Year.
