CPLP Environment ministers meet in São Tomé and Príncipe
The 10th Meeting of CPLP Environment Ministers was held in São Tomé and Príncipe, where environmental leaders discussed urgent actions to address the climate crisis. The meeting emphasized the need for ambitious global commitments and the transition to renewable energy, reinforcing the role of future generations in preserving the planet.
By Inez Mustafa | inez.mustafa@presidencia.gov.br
On February 18, the 10th Meeting of Environment Ministers of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) took place in São Tomé and Príncipe's capital. Ministers discussed urgent actions to address the climate crisis.
Under the slogan “Climate Challenges and the Role of the Next Generations of Environmental Leaders,” the meeting highlighted the need for ambitious global commitments and the transition to renewable energies, reinforcing the role of the next generations in preserving the planet.
Marina Silva, Brasil's minister for the Environment and Climate Change, attended the meeting remotely, reaffirming Brasil's commitment to the global climate agenda and cooperation with CPLP countries. Marina emphasized the importance of coordinated action to address the effects of climate change, which directly affect Brasil and other countries in the community.
“Like other CPLP countries, Brasil is facing serious climate consequences, such as droughts in the Amazônia and floods in Rio Grande do Sul. The climate crisis, the greatest challenge of our generation, requires coordinated global efforts,” she said.
The minister emphasized the importance of environmental education as a tool for developing leaders who are committed to preserving life, and announced that Brasil will host the CPLP's 8th International Congress on Environmental Education in Manaus in July 2025, focused on young people.
Recognizing the importance of innovative financing, the final declaration included Brasil's "Tropical Forests Forever Fund" initiative, which provides predictable, long-term funding for forest protection. The document also mentioned the "conversion of debt into climate finance," which aims to help developing countries combat climate change and transition to renewable energy.
Turning commitments into action
Marina Silva also highlighted Brasil's role at COP30, which will be held in Belém in November 2025. “Our goal is to accelerate the implementation of existing climate agreements. In Dubai, we made ambitious commitments such as tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency and transitioning away from fossil fuels. In Baku, we worked to raise the ambition of the global targets. At COP30, the challenge will be to turn commitments into practice, ensuring that the costs don't fall on the most vulnerable,” she emphasized.
The Minister emphasized that the success of COP30 will depend on global commitments and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from all countries. “Brasil is committed to leading by example, but the success of COP30 depends on global commitments and ambitious NDCs from all countries,” she concluded.
Marina Silva and the co-chair of the NDC Partnership
In addition to her participation in the CPLP meeting, Minister Marina Silva recently took over the co-chairmanship of the NDC Partnership, alongside Denmark's Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard. In her new role, Marina Silva highlighted the importance of the partnership to mobilize support and accelerate the implementation of global climate commitments. “The climate crisis demands that we work together, now more than ever. The NDC Partnership has a crucial role to play in mobilizing support for countries to take decisive climate action,” she affirmed.
Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries
The CPLP is an international organization made up of Angola, Brasil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor. These countries share Portuguese as one of the pillars of their cultural and historical identity. Founded in 1996, the CPLP's main objectives are to promote political, economic, social and cultural cooperation between its members, as well as to strengthen the Portuguese language on the global stage.