Helder Barbalho receives letter from Women of Energy and advocates for Brazilian leadership at COP30

The governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, participated this Monday (25), in São Paulo, in the 4th edition of the Brazilian Congress Women of Energy, a meeting that brought together female leaders from the electric energy sector across the country. During the event, he received the "Letter from Women of Energy: a call to COP30", a document prepared by specialists, parliamentarians, businesswomen, and academics with proposals and commitments aimed at a fair energy transition, inclusion, and addressing the climate crisis.

The 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30) will be held in November in Belém and will mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement. For the governor, this is a decisive moment for the world and a unique opportunity for Brazil to lead the climate agenda with moral and technical authority.

“Ten years after the Paris Agreement, it will be time to check what has been done, what has not been delivered, and what needs to be guaranteed. Our expectation is that COP30 will be the COP of implementation, with real results in climate financing, energy transition, and emission reductions,” he stated.

Symbolic letter and qualified listening – The letter was read by Zilda Costa, vice president of the Brazilian Association of Distributed Generation (ABGD), and handed over by the congress president, Lúcia Abadia. On stage, dozens of women representing movements, entities, and initiatives from the sector gathered symbolically for the act.

The document emphasizes that the energy transition “is not only technological but social, political, and deeply human,” and establishes commitments such as institutionalizing the female voice at COP30, creating permanent participation mechanisms, collaborating with sectoral associations, and including gender and race justice criteria in combating energy poverty.

“Being an emissary of this letter is an honor. The mobilization of women in energy is central for the world to face and overcome the challenge of energy transition. Climate justice requires social justice, and this includes ensuring a voice for those who build concrete solutions in the territories,” said Helder Barbalho.

Role of the Amazon and civil society – The governor highlighted that holding COP30 in Belém represents the strengthening of democratic dialogue around the climate agenda. According to him, the event will expand the active participation of society, with a strong presence of indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, extractivists, and women's movements in the Green Zone.

“The COP is in Belém, but it has to be for all of Brazil. No global leader can point a finger at our country. We have 83% of our energy matrix clean, the largest tropical forest on the planet, and an increasingly sustainable agriculture. Brazil has the authority to lead this agenda,” he stated.

Energy transition and Brazilian solutions – During the panel, Helder presented Pará's strategies to face the effects of climate change by generating opportunities. He highlighted the appreciation of biodiversity through bioeconomy, the productive restoration of degraded areas with açaí and cocoa, and initiatives such as traceability in the meat supply chain and structuring the carbon market.

“We want to show that it is possible to generate income with a living forest. Transforming biodiversity into bioeconomy, into biotechnology, into solutions that respond to global demand. Pará is building a new vocation based on sustainability and innovation,” he explained.

Infrastructure and hospitality for COP30 – Commenting on Belém's preparation for COP30, the governor highlighted that the city underwent a broad process of expanding its accommodation network, with initiatives that include modernizing hotels, new enterprises, cruise ships, adapted schools, and partnerships with short-term rental platforms.

Helder also emphasized that the Government of Pará has been working together with consumer protection institutions and regulatory bodies to promote market balance and ensure fair access to the city during the event. “We are attentive and working to ensure a welcoming, safe, and respectful experience for all who come to Belém. This is a historic moment for Brazil, and we want every visitor to feel part of this collective construction,” he assured.

Urban, economic, and social legacy – The governor presented the main investments made in Belém as part of the preparation for COP30, highlighting sanitation works, mobility, macro-drainage, urban parks, a waterway terminal, and modern public transport. He also highlighted the strengthening of sectors such as tourism, bioeconomy, technology, and professional training.

“We are delivering an urban park of international standard, consolidating new routes for tourism, and creating the Amazon Bioeconomy Park, which can host startups and research centers. The legacy of COP30 will be urban, environmental, social, and economic, and will last beyond the event,” he declared.

Environmental education and Agenda 2030 – Concluding his participation, Helder Barbalho reaffirmed Pará's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030, highlighting that the state was the first in the country to adopt environmental education as a mandatory subject for all students in the state network.

“Environmental education is taking care of the forest and also of everyday life: not littering the streets, turning off the tap, planting a tree. We believe that the decisions we make today will ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren,” he concluded.

The Congress ended with the symbolic act of delivering the letter and recognizing the governor's leadership as host of COP30. “It will be the change not only of Brazil but of the world, which is what we want,” said Lúcia Abadia, thanking Helder for his presence at the event.