Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have called for strengthened collaboration between their nations on climate leadership, forest and ocean conservation, and sustainable development, highlighting the shared responsibilities of forest-rich countries in the Global South. The discussions took place in Belém, Brazil, on the sidelines of COP30, hosted in the Amazon region for the first time.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
President Lula warmly welcomed Prime Minister Marape and his delegation, describing Brazil’s view of Papua New Guinea as a natural partner in advancing forest protection, renewable energy, and fair trade among developing nations.
He emphasised the environmental importance of both countries, calling them “guardians of the planet’s lungs” and highlighting the need for cooperation in sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and energy transition.
“We live in forests — our people depend on them, and our planet depends on them. Without forests, there is no life and no future for our children,” President Lula said.
He further urged that “Brazil and Papua New Guinea must walk together as leaders of the Global South to show that it is possible to grow economies while protecting nature”.
Prime Minister Marape echoed the sentiment, noting that Papua New Guinea and Brazil — both custodians of vast tropical rainforests — carry the burden of preserving the planet’s vital ecosystems while maintaining minimal carbon footprints.
“As a forest nation and an ocean nation, our carbon footprint is minimal, yet we are the victims of climate change,” he said. “Our forests and oceans carry the weight of the world’s excess carbon, but the benefits have not flowed equitably to our people”.
Proposal for Stronger Diplomatic and Economic Links
President Lula proposed the opening of a Brazilian embassy in Port Moresby to enhance diplomatic engagement, trade, and technical cooperation. He said this initiative would pave the way for collaboration in agriculture, renewable energy, and scientific research.
“It is time we expand our ties beyond climate discussions. We can deepen cooperation in trade, health, education, and energy. Brazil is ready to work with Papua New Guinea on new opportunities that will benefit both our peoples”.
Prime Minister Marape supported the idea, suggesting a reciprocal PNG diplomatic mission in Brazil and inviting Brazilian companies to invest in agriculture and energy sectors in Papua New Guinea. “Your agribusiness strength can support our move toward becoming a food-secure exporting nation,” he said. Both leaders agreed to explore collaborations in tropical agriculture, renewable energy, hydropower, LNG, and other clean technologies.
Renewable Energy and Climate Transition
President Lula highlighted Brazil’s achievements in renewable energy, stating that 87% of Brazil’s electricity matrix is generated from renewable sources, including hydropower, biofuels, and solar energy. Brazil is the world’s second-largest producer of ethanol and a leader in clean energy technology through state-owned company Petrobras. “Brazil has learned to use its oil wealth to finance the energy transition,” he said. “Our goal is to turn Petrobras into a full energy company investing in alternative sources — not just fossil fuels” .
Prime Minister Marape outlined Papua New Guinea’s clean energy ambitions, including expanding hydropower capacity and increasing LNG exports to regional markets.
“We want to be self-sufficient in energy and also support our region with clean hydropower. Our LNG exports to Japan, Korea, and Singapore show that PNG is a reliable energy partner,” he said. The Prime Minister highlighted PNG’s potential to become a regional supplier of clean energy to neighbouring countries, including Australia and Indonesia .
Fighting Hunger and Inequality
President Lula also addressed global food security, stressing the need for cooperation to combat hunger and malnutrition. He referenced Brazil’s Global Alliance Against Hunger and Obesity, launched earlier in the year with over 50 countries, inviting Papua New Guinea to join.
“The world spends trillions on weapons while millions go hungry. We must redirect those resources to food, education, and health — to build a fairer, more humane world,” he said.
Shared Vision for Forest and Ocean Conservation
At COP30, Prime Minister Marape called on world leaders to unite around nature-based solutions, stressing that forests and oceans are “our greatest allies — they preserve the air, regulate the climate, and sustain life on Earth”.
He reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to conserving 35 million hectares of pristine rainforest — equivalent to 13% of the world’s tropical forests — alongside vast ocean ecosystems home to 7% of global biodiversity.
“Our forests, oceans, and biodiversity sustain all life on Earth — and without them, we have no future,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He emphasised the need for global climate finance that values standing forests and supports forest and ocean nations.
“Our forests deserve proper conservation financing. Nature-based technologies must begin by valuing standing forests — not just harvested timber. One hectare of conserved forest can save the world far more than any industrial offset,” he said.
Climate Finance and Equity
Prime Minister Marape urged developed nations to honour their Paris Agreement commitments and channel financing into nature-based solutions. He highlighted jurisdictional REDD+ and carbon market systems under Articles 5 and 6 of the Paris Agreement as mechanisms to deliver equitable climate finance for forest nations.
“For six years as Prime Minister, I have been saying: stop deforestation. Bring real conservation that sustains livelihoods and protects humanity. If this generation of leaders fails to find real financing solutions for forest nations, history will judge us harshly”.
The leaders welcomed the Baku–Belém Roadmap, a COP29–COP30 initiative to mobilise US$1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing nations. The framework’s Five Action Fronts — Replenishing, Rebalancing, Rechanneling, Revamping, and Reshaping — aim to unlock climate finance while reforming global financial architecture.
Deepening Strategic Partnerships
During their bilateral discussions, Marape and Lula agreed to strengthen cooperation across climate action, food security, clean energy, and sustainable development.
President Lula proposed sending Brazil’s Minister of Economy to Papua New Guinea for consultations with PNG’s economic team, signalling Brazil’s intention to build a comprehensive partnership in energy, agribusiness, and technology.
Prime Minister Marape described the partnership as part of a broader Pacific-to-Amazon diplomacy strategy, linking the Pacific’s forest and ocean nations with Latin America’s environmental and agricultural powers.
“We are connecting the Pacific and the Amazon — two of the world’s great forest regions — in a common cause for climate and sustainable growth,” he said.
A Voice for the Global South
Both leaders underscored their role as advocates for the Global South, calling for climate justice and fair recognition of environmental services provided by forest nations.
“Forest nations are doing their part, but the rewards and recognition have not come,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Papua New Guinea stands with Brazil and the forest economies of the world to ensure that climate justice becomes real. It must not just be a slogan — it must be lived reality for our people”.
Marape recalled following Brazil’s hosting of the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a student in 1992 and described his return as Prime Minister as deeply meaningful. “It is deeply meaningful to be here where it all began, continuing the same message: let us save our forests, protect our oceans, and pass on a healthier world to our children”
Looking Ahead
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea will dispatch its Minister for Trade and Investment to Brazil to establish a formal bilateral framework and plan sectoral exchanges in agriculture, renewable energy, and climate technology.
Both nations aim to create tangible results from their partnership, demonstrating that forest and ocean nations can lead the fight against climate change while promoting sustainable economic growth.
