Portugal expresses interest in expanding partnerships with Pará at COP 30
Panel in the Green Zone discussed sustainable production and the appreciation of family farming at the 30th UN Conference on Climate Change, held in Belém
The Government of Portugal expressed interest in further strengthening relations with Pará during a panel held this Friday (21), in the Green Zone of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 30), in Belém. The discussion brought together the Secretary of Agriculture of Portugal, João Moura, the Secretary of State for Family Agriculture of Pará, Cássio Pereira, and the president of Emater-Pará, Joniel Vieira Abreu, focusing on sustainable production and environmental preservation.
With the theme "Food, Agriculture, and equity at its roots," the panel addressed strategies to ensure income, dignity, and the permanence of farming families in the countryside, while also reinforcing environmental protection. João Moura highlighted that the impacts of climate change have worsened the occurrence of wildfires in Portugal, a phenomenon that causes deaths and destruction every year.
"Portugal spends millions of euros combating wildfires," he reported. "Especially when temperatures reach levels of 30, 40 degrees, with humidity below 30%, sometimes 20%, and with very strong winds that seem like hurricanes, with immense heat," added the secretary, also mentioning the exodus of young people to urban areas and the consequent abandonment of agriculture in the country, which today has Brazil as a strategic partner in food acquisition.
Secretary Cássio Pereira reinforced that the Government of Pará, under the guidance of Governor Helder Barbalho, remains committed to environmental preservation and restoration, alongside strengthening sustainable production.
"Pará is in a transition, where the living forest is part of the repertoire for the construction and development of the State, but also encourages agricultural and forestry production sustainably," he stated. He highlighted that more than 300,000 farming families, responsible for supplying about 70% of the population of Pará, live and produce directly from the forest.
Growing trade and origin certification
Portugal is already the fifth country that buys the most products from Pará, especially from family farming. Among the most exported items are açaí, tapioca flour, honey, tropical fruits, and pulps, which follow strict quality and traceability standards, now reinforced by the Emater-Pará seal.
The president of Emater, Joniel Abreu, explained that certification is a tool for socio-environmental assurance. "It shows who really receives technical assistance from the responsible company within the State," he stated. According to him, the seal identifies whether the product is organic, whether it does not involve labor analogous to slavery or child exploitation, and whether it does not cause environmental damage.
Strategic partnership to access Europe
For João Moura, agriculture plays a fundamental role in facing the climate crisis, and Brazil — especially Pará — is a key partner to enhance food security and sustainability.
"Today, agriculture has a very significant responsibility in the conservation and preservation of the environment. We have this responsibility," he stated. He added that "Brazil is a major producer that can be a partner of Portugal and have Portugal as a gateway to the rest of Europe."
"We are here with open doors for whatever is necessary," he concluded.
