President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated in Belém that no one “will sleep worse than we sleep anywhere in the world” and defended the choice of the capital of Para to host the United Nations conference for the climate, which will be held in 39 days in the city.
Lula and an entourage of ministers visit Belém to inaugurate public facilities such as the Nova Doca Linear Park and a sewage treatment plant in the municipality, as well as inspecting planned works for COP30.
“We want to assure the world that no one will sleep worse than we sleep anywhere in the world. To compensate (the lack of) a luxury of a hotel room, there will be the love of the people of Pará on the streets of this city showing what kind of people we are,” said Lula.
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Belém’s choice has been criticized by diplomats and NGOs due to disabilities of the city’s hotel chain and the prices considered exorbitant for lodging during the event dates, scheduled to be held between November 10 and 21.
“COP is not a fashion show, it is not a parade of ideological products where people come here, they say what they want, hear what they don’t want and go. This cop will be different. I want people to know the Amazon, our rivers, the Amazonian trees and the people, the Brazilian indigenous people,” said Lula.
The president attributed the criticism to “prejudice”, but admitted to problems. “To face the problem of the apartments, we said that the people of Pará would get their homes to become apartments (rooms). And many people in Pará are leaving their homes to say gringos:“ Come live in my warmth for a few days for you to know what Pará is, ”said Lula during the opening ceremony of the new dock.
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The president also recalled that the government hired cruises to expand the offer of rooms during the event, which should attract more than 50,000 people.
“We went after two ships, of these handsome that we only see in soap opera and a movie. Ship that fits 4 thousand people. Because here will have two ships for those who want to sleep, go to sleep on the ship too,” said Lula.
Commenting on criticism from the poorest countries regarding lodging prices, Lula stressed that the federal government, in partnership with the government of Pará, will ensure that African nations delegations have nowhere to sleep.
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“We decided to assure African countries, come here, to COP, that the state and federal government will ensure that you have nowhere to sleep, will have something to eat and if you want to drink, they will have it too,” he said.
In a speech preceding Lula, the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho (MDB), thanked the president for maintaining the decision to hold the event in Belém, allegedly resisting UN and countries to change the headquarters of COP30.
“If this COP did not leave Belém we should only owe one person, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. I know how much the UN tried to embarrass him. I know how much countries tried to embarrass, because they find it impossible for the Amazon to host the biggest climate event on the planet. But the Lord was brave, resilient,” said Barbalho.
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The entourage of Lula Ministers such as Rui Costa (Civil House), Márcio Macêdo (General Secretariat of the Presidency), Jader Filho (cities), Margareth Menezes (Culture), Macaé Evaristo (Human Rights) and Celso Sabino (Tourism). The latter accompanies Lula as the last act in office, since he resigned by giving in to the ultimatum of his party, União Brasil, which landed from the government.
