Brazil has a historic opportunity to lead the global climate agenda from the Amazon, says Helder Barbalho at Expert XP 2025

The governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, stated this Friday (25), in São Paulo (SP), that the holding of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, in November, is a unique chance for Brazil to take the lead in the global environmental agenda from the Amazon. The statement was made during the Expert XP 2025, one of the largest investment and sustainability forums in Latin America, promoted by XP Inc. "I am absolutely convinced that hosting the world's largest climate event in the Amazon is the great opportunity Brazil has to lead this agenda," he said.

In his participation in the panel "COP30 and Brazil's leadership in the environmental agenda," moderated by XP's institutional director, Rafael Furlanetti, Governor Helder Barbalho highlighted that the symbolism of hosting the conference in the Amazon represents a call to the planet for responsibility towards the future and the chance to transform forest assets into new sustainable economic opportunities. "We want to discuss and see the forest as a central theme, so that living forests can be worth more than dead forests. COP30 needs to point the way to valuing biodiversity with innovation, bioeconomy, and preservation."

The governor argued that the conference should reflect on the concrete impacts of the climate crisis on daily life and include society at the center of decisions. "What COP decides will impact the life of every citizen. It affects the economy, geopolitics, institutions, but above all, it impacts the daily lives of all of us." He also reinforced the role of the private sector as a decisive agent in the transition to a green economy, especially in a context of geopolitical tensions and the absence of more ambitious commitments from some countries. "If geopolitics generates stress, the private sector has positioned itself in an increasingly relevant way. The reconciliation between economic activity and environmental sustainability is already a requirement present in various sectors. Environmental integrity is placed in business decisions."

Valuation - Helder Barbalho cited ongoing projects in Pará as examples of scalable sustainable solutions and stated that "the revitalization of degraded areas can indeed be a good investment. We are showing this in practice. The market already values those who preserve, and we present strategies for the forest to be part of the solution."

The governor reiterated that Pará bets on the carbon market as a new global commodity and argued that COP30 should be a milestone to position the Amazon as the basis for a new green economy. Among the proposals, he highlighted the first bioeconomy center in the Amazon as a legacy of the event. "We want to close with the legacy of COP the first bioeconomy center in the Amazon, with a logic similar to what was done in Silicon Valley. May we have the Amazon Biotechnology Valley, to transform the riches of the forest into innovation."

Environmentalist and former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore confirms presence at COP30

The Expert XP 2025 also features the participation of international personalities, such as former Vice President of the United States and climate activist Al Gore. He confirmed his presence at COP30 while greeting Governor Helder Barbalho. A global reference environmentalist, Al Gore highlighted the symbolism of Brazil hosting the conference, three decades after the historic Eco-92, stating that the meeting in Belém will be central to reinforcing international commitments.

According to him, "the holding of COP30 in Brazil is a moment of full circle, returning to the nation that started this whole process 33 years ago. Now, we have a new opportunity to renew the global commitment to face the climate crisis," he stated. He praised Brazil as a reference in clean energy and reinforced the call to action. "COP30 is a great opportunity for the world to refocus on how we can solve the climate crisis. Brazil is a model. That is what the world needs to do."

Al Gore also warned of the worsening of extreme climate events worldwide. "We are seeing droughts, floods, fires, and changes in ocean and wind currents on a global scale. It is as if, every night, the news broadcasts took a walk through nature through the Book of Revelation," he concluded.