In Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, the president of the Agency, Jorge Viana, defends a new model of sustainable production and consumption and asks for support in global decarbonization.
*Translated with AI
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) officially opened the Brazilian Pavilion this Tuesday (12) in Baku, Azerbaijan, at yet another edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29. The ceremony was attended by the Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), Geraldo Alckmin - who leads the Brazilian delegation -, the president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, as well as ministers, parliamentarians, authorities and representatives of civil society. On the occasion, the Brazilian government reaffirmed its goal of reducing emissions by up to 67% by 2035, compared to 2005.
"The Baku Conference aims to define a new climate finance objective," said Geraldo Alckmin, reinforcing the "ambitious goal" of limiting the increase in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Brazil is recognized as an environmental powerhouse, but also a leader in food security. We have the largest tropical forest in the world, the cleanest energy matrix among major economies, efficient and green agriculture and, above all, we are aware and committed to the fact that there is only a sustainable future," said the vice president.
"Brazil has reinforced its goal of reducing CO2 emissions," said the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), Marina Silva, noting that Brazil is working to achieve this goal by working together with all sectors, such as transportation, industry, agribusiness and also deforestation. "This is how we will lead by example," she added. Brazil's strategic plan is anchored in two structuring axes: the Ecological Transformation Plan (PTE) and the Climate Plan. Among the actions highlighted are the strengthening of the bioeconomy, the promotion of sustainable agrifood systems, the energy transition and the circular economy. Alongside Marina Silva was Sônia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil.
ApexBrasil president Jorge Viana demanded that rich countries, considered the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the last century, adopt "a sustainable production and consumption model". He suggested that they now finance the decarbonization of the planet, as set out in the Paris Agreement - a 2015 international treaty that legally binds its signatories to act to combat climate change. "Brazil is the possibility for the world to achieve food security, with a new industry, in which we will increasingly process our sustainable products within the country", he added.
At the end of his speech, Alckmin wished, in English, that everyone would be at COP30 in Belém, Pará, in 2025, in a year. "On behalf of President Lula, I hope to see you next year in Brazil".
Brazil Pavilion: ApexBrasil's strategic partnership with government and society
The central theme of the Brazilian pavilion is "Paths to Ecological Transformation", reinforcing the country's commitment to a fair ecological transition, based on scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The Brazil Pavilion at COP 29 was built to reflect nature, people and Brazilian diversity. Located in the Blue Zone of the Conference, it is a reference space for the presentation of Brazilian initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change, with a focus on the preservation, conservation and regeneration of forest assets. In addition to the thematic discussions, the space features a series of cultural events, interactive exhibitions and high-level panels. "It was beautiful, everyone who passes by compliments it. But, above all, it is a space for dozens and dozens of debates thinking about how to avoid this climate tragedy that the world is already experiencing", said the president of ApexBrasil, who will be in Baku in the coming days, following the intense schedule of the Brazilian pavilion.
The Brazilian pavilion at COP29 is the result of a strategic partnership between ApexBrasil and several government institutions and private sector organizations. Partners include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), the Ministry of Finance (MF) and the Ministry of the Environment (MMA). Sponsors include: National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES); Banco do Brasil (BB); Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF); Banco da Amazônia (BASA); Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae); National Confederation of Transportation (CNT); National Confederation of Industry (CNI); Itaú; and the Climate and Society Institute (ICS).
Programming
By once again leading the Brazil Pavilion at COP, ApexBrasil reinforces its role of promoting a positive and innovative image of the country, highlighting Brazil's potential in areas such as bioeconomy and preservation of biomes, in addition to its innovative solutions for adapting to and mitigating climate change.
On Tuesday (12), after the opening session of the Climate Action Summit of World Leaders, the pavilion hosted the panel "The Future of Agriculture", moderated by Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo, president of the International Initiative for Brazilian Agribusiness. Among the panelists were the Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, the representative of the Sustainability and Corporate Affairs area of Syngenta, Grazielle Parenti, member of the Board of Directors of Marfrig, Marcella Molina, and the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of JBS, Marcela Rocha.
This Wednesday (13), the Brazil Platform for Climate Investments and Ecological Transformation (BIP) will be launched. This initiative by the Brazilian government was created with the ambition of increasing investments in ecological transformation towards the decarbonization of the economy. On the same day, the panels "The role of banks in the transition to a low-carbon economy" and "The Amazon we seek: how to balance sustainability and inclusion in the largest tropical forest in the world" will be held, with the presence of authorities and experts.
On Thursday (14), the debate will be the "Business Dialogue for a Low-Carbon Economy". On Friday (15), the panels "Energy Transition in the Transportation Sector: the role of green diesel", "Carbon Credit: Market Opportunities" and "The Environmental Agenda in the Brazilian Congress: advances and challenges in tackling climate change" will be held. On Saturday (16), the "Challenges of the new industrialization" will be discussed.
Until November 22, Baku will continue to be the center of crucial debates, where Brazil will present to the world its commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These goals, aligned with the Paris Agreement, reinforce Brazil's leadership position in the global climate agenda. Check out the full schedule for the Brazilian pavilion here.