Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced a landmark $1 billion investment in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a multilateral funding initiative aimed at protecting endangered forests worldwide. The announcement was made during a high-level United Nations event in New York, underscoring Brazil’s renewed leadership in global environmental diplomacy.
The fund, proposed by Brazil, seeks to provide long-term financial support for forest conservation efforts, particularly in tropical regions facing deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability. Lula emphasized that the initiative is designed to ensure sustainable stewardship of forests while respecting the sovereignty of nations and the rights of Indigenous communities.
“This is not charity—it is a shared responsibility,” Lula stated, calling on developed nations to match Brazil’s commitment and contribute to reversing the ecological damage caused by decades of exploitation.
The $1 billion pledge reflects Brazil’s strategic shift toward climate leadership, following years of international scrutiny over Amazon deforestation. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility is expected to mobilize additional funding from governments, private donors, and multilateral institutions, with transparent governance and measurable conservation outcomes.
Lula’s announcement was met with cautious optimism by environmental advocates, who view the fund as a potential turning point in global forest protection efforts.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Picture by Christophe Viseux. COP28
