The world must defeat climate denialism and fight fake news, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has told the opening meeting of the UN climate talks at COP30 in Belém.

In a rallying cry, he made thinly veiled references to former President Donald Trump's past declarations, characterizing climate change as a con job. The two-week talks commenced in the lush Brazilian city, set against the backdrop of significant political challenges and notably absent senior U.S. officials.

Thousands gathered in a repurposed aerodrome for COP30, with indigenous representatives performing traditional welcome ceremonies. President Lula proclaimed that COP30 will be the COP of truth” in a fight against fake news and misrepresentation. He suggested that influencers spreading misinformation control the narrative that fosters fear and division.

Highlighting the crucial nature of action, he stressed, It's time to inflict a new defeat on the deniers, appealing for a unified front against skepticism surrounding climate science.

The current political atmosphere complicates these discussions, especially without U.S. leadership on climate issues, as concerns grow that their absence could undermine progress. Lula's government aims to leverage the conference to advance commitments made in prior climate agreements, including a significant fund to protect tropical forests worth $125 billion.
While some nations express reluctance in contributing, Lula’s initiatives and focus on grassroots representation remain pivotal as the COP30 agenda unfolds. The summit aims for consensus on maintaining temperature increases within global limits vital for climate stability.