The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, placed inequality and the climate crisis at the center of his speech on Tuesday (20) that opened the annual General Debate of the UN in New York.
“We must overcome the resignation that makes us accept such injustice as a natural phenomenon,” he said. “There is a lack of political will on the part of those who govern the world to overcome inequality.”
In his first appearance on the global stage since resuming the presidency earlier this year – after more than a decade out of power – Lula also praised a new geopolitical order that could challenge the West’s global economic influence and pressed for greater dialogue around the war in Ukraine.
Since resuming the presidency, Lula has been working to position himself as a climate progressive and a global leader on this issue.
Lula insisted that wealthy countries meet their clean energy and international climate financing goals, arguing that a $100 billion financing plan had already become an “insufficient” amount.
“Wealthy countries grew based on a model with high rates of harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “We, developing countries, do not want to repeat this model. In Brazil, we have proven once and we will prove again that a socially just and environmentally sustainable model is possible.”
Still, Lula has faced criticism for his administration’s investments in fossil fuels, including plans for a possible offshore drilling project.
In statements made on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that G20 countries, including Brazil, are responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.War in Ukraine
Lula has also been presenting himself as a potential peace mediator in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, he unveiled a controversial negotiation plan. Although not clearly defined, the proposal involved forming a coalition of other equally non-aligned countries to mediate peace.
Lula also suggested that Ukraine cede Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, in pursuit of a peace agreement. The idea was rejected by Kiev and condemned by Washington.
“We do not underestimate the difficulties in achieving peace, but no solution will be lasting if it is not based on dialogue,” Lula said on Tuesday. “I reiterate that we must work to create space for negotiations.”
Source: CNN