Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was listed as the keynote speaker at a COP28 session entitled: ‘Protecting Nature for Climate, Lives and Livelihood’.
However, amid cheers and rapturous applause from the audience, Lula took the stage accompanied by his Minister for Environment and Climate, Marina Silva… and handed her the microphone.
“I could not speak about forests without Marina,” Lula explained. “She was born in a forest, and was not literate until sixteen years of age, and yet, here she is – responsible for the dramatic environmental success that Brazil has achieved since my election! So, yes this is my speech, but Marina is the best person to deliver it from the heart!”
At this point, the President was clearly moved and there was a tear in his eye as a wave of emotion washed over the people in the audience, many of whom were also brought to tears. Those of us that regularly witness political speeches are not accustomed to such genuine, heartfelt shows of emotion, but for many of us it was very refreshing!
Highlighting the significance of Brazil’s recent achievements, a few minutes before Lula and Silva took the stage, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “Brazil’s success in reducing deforestation is the most important climate news this year.”
