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Today, in the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations climate change conference (Cop30). Leaders have been gathered by me world leaders during the period before the conference so that we can all commit to taking swift measures with the necessary speed the climate crisis demands.

Should we not progress past speeches into real action, public trust will diminish – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism 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 toward Earth.

Humanity has shown its ability to overcome great challenges when it acts together and scientific guidance. 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.

The Earth Summit was held in Brazil back in 1992. Agreements on climate, biodiversity, and desertification were endorsed, and principles were embraced that established a fresh model for protecting Earth and humankind. Over the past 33 years, these meetings have yielded key accords and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – including halting deforestation by 2030 to tripling renewable energy capacity.

More than three decades later, global attention returns to Brazil to address the climate issue. It is no coincidence that Cop30 takes place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists and journalists to witness the reality of the Amazon. We want the world to see the forests' real status, Earth's biggest river system, and the millions of people who live in the region. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or yearly meetings for delegates. They should serve as encounters with actuality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.

To confront this crisis together, financial support is essential. And we must recognise that the concept of shared yet varied duties remains the non-negotiable foundation for all climate agreements. That is why the global south demands greater access to resources – not out of charity, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not only by making commitments but by honouring their debts.

Brazil is doing its part. In only two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating that real environmental measures can work.

At Belém, we are introducing a novel program for forest conservation: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). Its novelty lies in functioning as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A genuine win-win approach to tackling climate change. Leading by example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we anticipate similarly bold pledges from other nations.

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 by 59% to 67%, covering all greenhouse gases and every economic area. In this spirit, we call on all countries to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

The energy transition is fundamental to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy mix is one of the globe's greenest, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Redirecting revenues from oil production to fund a fair, structured energy shift is vital. 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 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, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies must aim to combat inequality.

It's crucial to remember that two billion individuals have no access to clean cooking methods and fuels, and over 673 million face hunger. In response, we are introducing in Belém a statement on hunger, poverty, and climate. Our pledge to combat climate change must be directly linked to the effort to end hunger.

It is equally essential that we push for changes in international governance. Today, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis of the UN security council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore 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 a practical move towards reversing the current paralysis in global cooperation.

During each environmental summit, we hear many promises yet few concrete actions follow. The time for intention statements is over: the time for action plans has arrived. That is why today we begin the "truthful Cop".