Against all odds, André Corrêa do Lago believes in the success of COP30 in Belém. This experienced, Francophile Brazilian diplomat, secretary for climate, energy and the environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was chosen by Brazilian President Lula to chair the next world climate conference, to be held in November at the "gateway to the Amazon." He is keen to find concrete solutions and believes that the fight against global warming and economic growth are compatible.

The Paris Agreement was created to bring the US back into the climate negotiations, even though it had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol [the predecessor of the Paris Agreement]. Their departure therefore has a very significant impact. However, we need to define how to move forward without the US government. The COP remains an extraordinary opportunity to discuss the impacts of and solutions to climate change in the presence of all the players – governments, businesses, cities and civil society.

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