Over phone call, Lula, Biden talk environment, workers’ rights

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 16). For around 30 minutes, the two heads of state spoke about climate change, environmental preservation, and the Amazon Summit, held in Belém, Pará state, last week. The Brazilian leader also expressed solidarity with the victims of the fires in Hawaii and their families.

Lula stressed the need for advancing the debate on climate change. Also, according to Lula’s press office, President Biden said he agreed “100 percent” with the concerns voiced by his Brazilian counterpart, and acknowledged the responsibilities of developed nations and the need to support developing countries in tackling the effects of the climate crisis.

The Latin American president stated his intention to make Brazil an example to the world in environmental preservation and energy transition, and cited the recent launch of the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), which focuses on these areas.

The two leaders also discussed the joint initiative to promote decent working conditions in the 21st-century economy, to be proposed by the US and Brazil alongside representatives of trade union movements and the ILO at the next United Nations General Assembly.

“It’s the first time I talk to a president who’s interested in workers. His policies and speeches about the world of work are music to my ears. Together, we can inspire other leaders to look at the issues facing workers,” Lula declared.

Lula and Biden are due to meet in September at the G20 Summit and the UN Assembly. Lula reiterated his invitation to the US president to visit Brazil next year, which could take place in a state in the Amazon region.