Lula participates in COP31 and seeks to expand trade in Asia

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will participate in two important international meetings this week. From November 11 to 12, Lula will be at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, to discuss measures to tackle climate change. He will then travel to the Philippines, where he will attend the 49th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), from 13 to 15.

The agenda brings together environmental, diplomatic and commercial commitments, with the aim of strengthening Brazil’s presence in international negotiations and expanding opportunities for cooperation with Asian countries.

Brazil to submit proposals to reduce fossil fuel use

During COP31, Lula must defend advances in the energy transition and present Brazilian initiatives aimed at environmental preservation.

One of the main highlights will be the so-called International Road Map, a proposal developed during the Brazilian presidency of COP30 to guide countries in the gradual reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.

According to the Secretary of Climate, Energy and Meio Ambiente of Itamaraty, Ambassador Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio, the proposal considers the different economic and energy realities of nations.

The Brazilian government also intends to highlight the results obtained in combating deforestation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to data presented by Itamaraty, Brazil recorded a reduction of approximately 560 million tons in net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) between 2022 and 2024.

Another theme on the agenda will be the strengthening of the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), an international initiative aimed at financially encouraging the conservation of forests.

Brazil will seek new investments for the mechanism, in addition to presenting the advances of the Fundo Amazônia, which has already reached R$ 7.8 billion in funds raised.

Lula to meet with international leaders

The COP31 Leaders’ Summit takes place on 11 and 12 November and brings together representatives from different countries to discuss environmental commitments.

The opening will be led by Turkey, which shares the leadership of the conference’s work with Australia.

Lula should make pronouncements during the programming and participate in debates related to the protection of forests.

A meeting with representatives of national and international civil society is also planned on Thursday (12).

The Brazilian participation comes at a time of negotiations on climate finance, energy transition and measures to limit the aquecimento global.

Plateau + 1

President to travel to Philippines to strengthen trade

After the commitments in Turkey, Lula will continue to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where he will participate in the 49th ASEAN Summit, an organization that brings together countries of Southeast Asia.

The visit will have historical significance, as it will be the first state trip of a Brazilian president to the Philippines, precisely in the year in which the two countries celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations.

On Saturday (14), Lula is expected to participate in an official visit and the Brazil-Philippines Business Forum, a meeting aimed at expanding business opportunities and investments.

According to Itamaraty’s Asia and Pacific secretary, Ambassador Susan Kleebank, the president’s participation for the second consecutive year demonstrates Brazil’s interest in strengthening the political and economic relationship with the region.

Trade with Asian countries exceeds $38 billion

The rapprochement with ASEAN also has strategic importance for the Brazilian economy.

In 2025, the bloc was Brazil’s fifth largest trading partner, with movements exceeding US$ 38 billion.

The country recorded a trade surplus of approximately $10 billion in operations with members of the association.

ASEAN represents a market with more than 700 million inhabitants and a combined gross domestic product of approximately US$4.25 trillion.

In January 2026, Brazil formalized a request to expand its diplomatic relationship with the organization, seeking to reach the category of dialogue partner, considered the highest level of external cooperation with the bloc.

The government expects the approach to facilitate trade negotiations, investments and joint projects related to sustainability, energy and economic development.

Travel will also focus on environmental preservation

In addition to trade discussions, Brazil and the Philippines share interests related to environmental conservation and energy transition.

The two countries participate in the Tropical Forests Forever Fund and develop international initiatives to address climate change.

The trip should also open space for discussions on food security and the fight against poverty, issues that are part of the priorities of Brazilian foreign policy.

By participating in the two meetings, the government intends to expand its role in international negotiations and consolidate political and economic partnerships in different regions of the world.

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