IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil this week for an extensive and wide-ranging conversation on major energy and climate issues at the start of Brazil's G20 Presidency.
An IEA delegation led by Dr Birol travelled to Brasília to discuss Brazil's efforts to accelerate just and inclusive energy transitions during its G20 Presidency this year and into its COP30 Presidency in 2025, as well as how the IEA can provide support.
In a bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace, Dr Birol and President Lula spoke about the major opportunities ahead for Brazil, which as a sustainability champion and strong voice for emerging economies around the world can lead the way forward at a crucial moment for international action on energy and climate.
During the visit, Dr Birol, who was hosted by Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira, noted that Brazil's strong commitment to sustainable development and inclusiveness makes it uniquely suited to advance energy and climate negotiations in a balanced way - especially on important topics such as the social dimension of energy transitions and mobilising finance for clean energy in the developing world.
Brazil is also a leader on biofuels, which deserve more global attention given their essential role in clean energy transitions, Dr Birol emphasised.
The IEA and Brazil have long collaborated on energy and climate issues, and Brazil officially joined the IEA Family as an Association country in 2017. This week, Dr Birol and Minister Silveira signed the IEA and Brazil's seventh two-year joint work programme, pledging to deepen cooperation on issues including expanding energy access and clean energy manufacturing.
Dr Birol held productive and informative conversations with numerous leading figures from across the upper echelons of the Brazilian government during his visit. These included Vice President and Minister for Development, Industry and Trade Geraldo Alckmin; Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira; Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Luciana Santos; and Climate Secretary Ana Toni. He also met with leaders from the business community and delivered a speech on the energy and climate opportunities ahead for Brazil and Latin America at the prestigious Instituto Rio Branco diplomatic academy.
"Following my conversations here this week, the IEA looks forward to further deepening our excellent partnership with Brazil as it takes the lead on energy and climate issues globally. The next two years will be extremely important," Dr Birol said. "It's a unique opportunity for the world - and the world is fortunate that Brazil will be leading, through the G20 and COP30, global efforts in an inclusive and just way. The IEA is ready to support Brazil in whatever ways we can - every day throughout the next two years, and beyond."
