Small businesses gain prominence at COP30 in Belém.
Sebrae advocates for the leading role of micro and small businesses in the transition to a green economy during the opening of the UN Climate Conference.
247 - The 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) began this Monday (10), in Belém (PA), with a clear message: the sustainable transition needs to include small businesses. Representing Sebrae, the president Decio Lima He stated that micro and small entrepreneurs are essential for building a new economic model that is greener, more inclusive, and more supportive.
The event — which transforms Belém into the world's climate capital for the next two weeks — brings together around 50 people, including heads of state, social and business leaders, scientists, and representatives of traditional peoples. At the opening ceremony, Fafá de Belém and Margareth Menezes moved the audience with their performances. Emoriô, a song that celebrates the creation of the world and human ancestry.
"This commitment is to humanity," says Décio Lima.
The president of Sebrae argued that tackling the climate crisis requires strengthening local entrepreneurship and the community-based economy. “This commitment is not just to nature, it’s to humanity. We need to act together to confront climate change. We are seeing, in the South of the country and in Santa Catarina, the impact of climate-related catastrophes,” he stated.
Décio highlighted that holding COP30 in the Amazon is both symbolic and strategic. “We are holding the real COP, one that is built upon our six biomes, the vibrant Amazon, and the strength of the Brazilian people. Brazil is taking a fundamental step; it is an example for humanity.”
Sebrae at COP30: innovation, bioeconomy and Amazonian culture
With a 400 m² stand installed in Green ZoneSebrae transformed its presence at COP30 into a showcase of the Brazilian bioeconomy. The space offers an immersive experience inspired by the Amazon and includes a meeting room, auditorium, and collaborative store with products from small entrepreneurs from the forest and other regions of the country.
From November 10th to 21st, from 9 am to 20 pm, the program blends content, culture, and sensory experiences, with audiovisual screenings at the venue. PedaCine from Brazil, artistic performances and tastings of regional ingredients. The institution also set up the Entrepreneurship Zone (En-Zone), in the Belém Porto Futuro Park, and promotes urban and cultural activities in various parts of the city.
Lula defends the Amazon as the center of climate decisions.
At the opening ceremony, the president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva He emphasized that Brazil agreed to host the conference in the Amazon to show the world that development and preservation can go hand in hand. “It would be easier to hold a COP in any major metropolis. But we chose the Amazon to show that it is possible to do what many call impossible. It is an act of human greatness. It is much easier to invest resources in preserving the forest than in sustaining wars,” he stated.
Lula also highlighted that the Amazon is home to approximately 50 million people and that the effects of climate change disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. “It’s time to inflict another defeat on denialism. This is the COP of truth. We need to put people at the center of climate decisions,” he said.