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Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém conference commences prior to the UN's 30th climate summit (Cop30). I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to the conference to ensure collective dedication to taking swift measures with the necessary speed that the environmental emergency requires.

If we fail to move beyond rhetoric to tangible steps, our societies will lose faith – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism and international politics more broadly. This is the reason for convening leaders to the Amazon: to make this the “Cop of truth”, the occasion where we prove our collective dedication's gravity to the planet.

Humanity has shown its ability to overcome great challenges through united efforts and is guided by science. We protected the ozone layer. The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic proved that the world can act decisively when there is courage and political will.

Brazil hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. We approved the conventions on climate, biodiversity and desertification, and adopted principles that defined a fresh model for protecting our planet and our humanity. During the last three decades, these meetings have yielded key accords and goals for cutting emissions – from ending deforestation by 2030 to tripling renewable energy capacity.

More than three decades later, the world 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. Our aim is for global observation of the true state of the forests, Earth's biggest river system, and the millions of people who live in the region. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or annual gatherings for negotiators. They should serve as encounters with actuality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.

To jointly address this emergency, we need resources. It's crucial to acknowledge that the concept of shared yet varied duties stays as the fixed basis of any climate pact. That is why the global south demands increased resource availability – not as aid, but as fairness. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not just through pledges but by honouring their debts.

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

In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the TFFF fund. It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The TFFF will reward those who keep their forests standing and contributors to the fund. A genuine win-win approach to tackling climate change. Leading by example, Brazil has pledged $1 billion to the TFFF, and we anticipate similarly bold pledges from other countries.

We also set an example by 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 present equally ambitious NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy matrix is among the cleanest in the world, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Channeling oil earnings to finance a just, orderly and equitable energy transition will be essential. In the long run, global petroleum firms, such as 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 shift to clean energy. We must recognise that society's most at-risk groups are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies must aim to combat inequality.

It's crucial to remember that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and fuels for cooking, and over 673 million face hunger. To address this, we are introducing in Belém a declaration on hunger, poverty and climate. Our pledge to combat climate change should be closely tied to the effort to end hunger.

It is also fundamental that we advance the reform of global governance. Currently, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis of the UN security council. Established to maintain peace, it has failed to prevent wars. Hence, it is our responsibility to advocate for reforming this body. At Cop30, we will advocate for establishing a UN climate council connected to the General Assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the power and credibility to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and an effective step toward reversing the current paralysis in global cooperation.

During each environmental summit, numerous commitments are made but see too few real commitments. The era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the moment for implementation plans is here. This is why we commence today the "truthful Cop".