Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks at the opening of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on November 11, praising voters for defending democracy and sustainability in Brazil’s presidential election. (Foto: Instagram)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva praised public mobilization in the country’s presidential election during his first international speech since winning reelection on Oct. 25. Speaking at the opening of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP31, on Nov. 11 in Antalya, Turkey, Lula said voters had used democratic means to confront people who reject scientific evidence and threaten the Amazon.
Lula’s reelection came after a runoff in which he defeated Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro. Addressing heads of state, he described the campaign as an unprecedented mobilization and said Brazilians had stood up to those he accused of denying science and endangering the world’s largest tropical forest, its greatest biodiversity and its largest freshwater reserve.
He said the election result represented more than the success of a political party or an individual candidate. In Lula’s account, voters chose a national project that places sustainability at its center. He singled out Indigenous people who traveled long distances to defend their territories, older people who left home to protect past gains and rights, and young people who mobilized for a dignified future for coming generations.
Lula also warned of attacks on science and multilateral cooperation, criticized imbalances in global institutions and called on wealthy nations to honor their climate commitments. He described the climate crisis as a crisis of injustice involving class, gender and race, as well as inequality between countries. He argued that the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should not be abandoned, saying rich nations developed at the planet’s expense and must meet their obligations.
Speaking with vocal difficulties, Lula said disagreements and a lack of consensus should not stop progress on climate action. He criticized the influence of veto power and money in other international forums, arguing that undermining the climate regime would damage the best features of the multilateral system. In a polarized period, he said, diplomacy must find openings when negotiations appear to have reached a dead end.
