During an event in New York, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that Brazil will be the first country to invest US$ 1 billion in the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), an international initiative that seeks to financially reward countries that keep their forests standing.
The announcement was made during the official presentation of the fund, promoted by Brazil and the United Nations Secretariat.
“Brazil will lead by example,” Lula stated, inviting other countries to make equally ambitious contributions so that the fund can become operational during the COP30, which will be held in November 2025 in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon region.
A fund to transform the role of the Global South
The TFFF aims to mobilize climate capital and recognize the ecosystem value of tropical forests.
Lula highlighted that the fund was designed with the support of the World Bank, and through consultations with civil society, indigenous peoples, and local communities. Its goal is to change the role of countries with tropical forests in the fight against climate change through real economic incentives.
“Tropical forests provide essential services: they regulate the climate, store carbon, protect the soil, and house the largest reserves of fresh water on the planet,” the president emphasized.
Climate capital: a new financial architecture for conservation
The TFFF aims to gather US$ 25 billion in initial capital and leverage up to US$ 125 billion from the private sector.
The proposal includes a mixed fund, where investor countries contribute junior capital that attracts private investments (senior capital). The dividends will be distributed annually among the countries that maintain their forests and the investors.
According to Karen Oliveira from The Nature Conservancy Brazil, countries like China, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates have already expressed interest in making initial contributions.
The Amazon as the epicenter of climate action
COP30 will be the first climate conference held in the Amazon region.
From November 10 to 21, 2025, Belém will host the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The event will bring together world leaders, scientists, organizations, and civil society to discuss:
- Limiting global warming to 1.5°C
- Presenting new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Promoting a “Global Task Force” to connect local solutions with climate governance
Financing for the Amazon: closing the gap
The region needs US$ 7 billion annually, but only receives 10%.
According to Gustavo Souza from Conservation International Brazil, the TFFF could generate US$ 2 billion annually for the Amazon.
Currently, the region receives only US$ 600 million per year, which represents one-tenth of what is needed to conserve its ecosystems and communities.
