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Today, in the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém conference commences prior to the UN's 30th climate summit (Conference of the Parties 30). I have convened world leaders during the period before the conference so that we can all commit to acting with the urgency the climate crisis demands.

Should we not progress past rhetoric to tangible steps, our societies will lose faith – not only in the Cops, and in international cooperation and international politics more broadly. This is the reason for convening officials to the rainforest: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the occasion where we prove our collective dedication's gravity to the planet.

People have demonstrated their capacity to conquer major obstacles when it acts together and is guided by science. We protected the ozone layer. Worldwide actions during the Covid-19 crisis showed that decisive global action is possible when there is courage and political will.

The Earth Summit was held in Brazil back in 1992. We approved the conventions on climate, biodiversity and desertification, and adopted principles that defined a fresh model for protecting Earth and humankind. During the last three decades, these gatherings have produced important agreements and goals for cutting emissions – including halting deforestation by 2030 to increasing renewable energy threefold.

After over thirty years, global attention returns to Brazil to confront climate change. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It offers a chance for leaders, envoys, researchers, campaigners, and reporters to witness the reality of the Amazon. We want the world to see the forests' real status, the planet’s largest river basin, and the millions of people who live in the region. Cops cannot be mere showcases of good ideas or yearly meetings for delegates. They must be moments of contact with reality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.

To jointly address this emergency, financial support is essential. And we must recognise that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities stays as the fixed basis for all climate agreements. This is why developing nations call for increased resource availability – not as aid, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They should now fulfill their obligations, not just through pledges but by repaying what they owe.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. In only two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, showing that concrete climate action is possible.

At Belém, we are introducing a novel program for forest conservation: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). Its novelty lies in functioning as a financial investment tool, not a donation mechanism. The TFFF will reward those who keep their forests standing and those who invest in the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other nations.

We also demonstrated leadership through being the second nation to present a new nationally determined contribution (NDC). Brazil has committed to reducing its emissions from 59% to 67%, including all emission types and every economic area. With this mindset, we urge all nations to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial for achieving Brazil's climate goals. Our energy mix is one of the globe's greenest, as 88% of our power is renewable. We are a leader in biofuels and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Redirecting revenues from oil production to fund a fair, structured energy shift will be essential. In the long run, oil companies worldwide, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, because a growth model based on fossil fuels cannot last.

People must be at the centre of political decisions about climate and the energy transition. It's important to acknowledge that the most vulnerable sectors of our society are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, which is why just transition and adaptation plans should target reducing disparities.

It's crucial to remember that two billion individuals have no access to clean cooking methods and fuels, and over 673 million face hunger. To address this, we will launch in Belém a statement on hunger, poverty, and climate. Our commitment to fight global warming should be closely tied to the effort to end hunger.

It is equally essential that we advance the reform of global governance. Today, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis within the UN Security Council. Established to maintain peace, it has not stopped conflicts. Hence, it is our responsibility to fight for the reform of this institution. At Cop30, we will advocate for the creation of a UN climate change council connected to the General Assembly. This would form a fresh governance framework with the force and legitimacy to ensure that countries deliver on their promises, and an effective step toward overcoming the present deadlock of the multilateral system.

At every climate conference, we hear many promises but see too few real commitments. The time for intention statements is over: the time for action plans has arrived. That is why today we begin the "truthful Cop".