UN Chief Warns Leaders at Amazon Summit: “The Choice is Between Leading or Being Led to Ruin”
Belém, Brazil – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning to over 60 world leaders gathered in Belém, Brazil this Thursday and Friday, asserting that “the choice is between leading or being led to ruin” in the face of the climate crisis. The meeting, focused on the Amazon rainforest, comes as global concerns mount over escalating greenhouse gas emissions and the urgent need for climate action.
Guterres accused certain actors of deceiving citizens and obstructing progress, stating, “many leaders remain captive to these vested interests.” He highlighted the staggering figure of $1 billion spent annually worldwide on subsidies for fossil fuels – the primary driver of emissions from the burning of gas, oil, and coal used for energy, transportation, and the production of plastics.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva, hosting the discussions ahead of COP30 in brazil, warned against “extremist forces” spreading misinformation about climate change for political advantage. “In a scenario of insecurity and mutual distrust, immediate selfish interests prevail over the long-term common good,” he declared.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric directly referenced statements made by former US President Donald Trump, who he said lied to the UN General Assembly in September by calling climate change “the biggest scam in the world.”
the summit underscored a call for immediate action. “Now is the time for implementation,” Guterres repeated, emphasizing the urgency and framing it as the central theme of COP30. He warned of “moral failure and mortal negligence” if global temperature increases are not limited.
Lula called for a “map to plan a fair path to end deforestation, overcome fossil fuels and mobilize resources,” appealing to leaders for collective action. Despite this call, Brazil currently has no plans to halt oil exploration, even near the Amazon’s mouth.
Leaders in attendance included French President Emmanuel Macron, British prime Minister Keir Starmer, President of the European Commission Ursula von der leyen, and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Concluding the summit, Lula invoked a belief held by the Yanomami indigenous people of the Amazon, stating, “They believe that it is up to human beings to sustain the sky, so that it does not fall on the Earth.” He added, “I hope this summit will help push the sky higher and broaden our vision beyond what we see today.”
