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Today, in the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations climate change conference (Cop30). Leaders have been gathered by me global heads of state during the period before the conference so that we can all commit to taking swift measures with the necessary speed the climate crisis demands.

Should we not progress past speeches into real action, public trust will diminish – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism and international politics more broadly. That is why I have summoned officials to the rainforest: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the occasion where we prove the seriousness of our shared commitment 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. The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic proved that the world can act decisively when there is courage and political will.

Brazil hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. Agreements on climate, biodiversity, and desertification were endorsed, and principles were embraced that established a new paradigm for preserving our planet and our humanity. Over the past 33 years, these meetings have yielded key accords and goals for cutting emissions – from ending deforestation by 2030 to increasing renewable energy threefold.

After over thirty years, global attention returns to Brazil to address the climate issue. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It offers a chance for leaders, envoys, researchers, campaigners, and reporters to witness the reality of the Amazon. Our aim is for global observation of the forests' real status, Earth's biggest river system, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or yearly meetings for delegates. They should serve as encounters with actuality and of effective action to tackle climate change.

To jointly address this emergency, financial support is essential. It's crucial to acknowledge that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the non-negotiable foundation for all climate agreements. That is why the global south demands greater access to resources – not out of charity, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They should now fulfill their obligations, not only by making commitments but by honouring their debts.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. Within just two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating that real environmental measures can work.

At Belém, we are introducing an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). Its novelty lies in functioning as an investment fund, not a donation mechanism. The TFFF will reward those who keep their forests standing and contributors to the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy for addressing environmental issues. Leading by example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other countries.

We also demonstrated leadership through becoming the second country to present a new nationally determined contribution (NDC). Brazil has vowed to cut its emissions from 59% to 67%, including all emission types and every economic area. With this mindset, we urge all nations to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial for achieving Brazil's climate goals. Our energy mix is one of the globe's greenest, with 88% of our electricity coming from renewable sources. We are a leader in biofuels and are progressing in wind, solar, and green hydrogen.

Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift is vital. Over time, global petroleum firms, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will evolve into energy providers, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

Individuals should be the focus of political decisions about climate and the shift to clean energy. We must recognise that the most vulnerable sectors of our society suffer the most from environmental effects, which is why just transition and adaptation plans must aim to combat inequality.

It's crucial to remember that 2 billion people lack access to clean cooking methods and fuels, and over 673 million face hunger. In response, we are introducing in Belém a statement on hunger, poverty, and climate. Our commitment to fight global warming must be directly linked to the fight against hunger.

It is also fundamental that we push for changes in international governance. Today, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis of the UN security council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. Hence, it is our responsibility to advocate for reforming this body. During Cop30, we will push for the creation of a UN climate change council connected to the General Assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the force and legitimacy to ensure that countries deliver on their promises, and an effective step toward overcoming the present deadlock of the multilateral system.

At every climate conference, numerous commitments are made 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”.