Lula champions UN’s return to prominence at G7
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for the United Nations to reclaim a leading role in resolving global conflicts during a speech at the G7 Summit’s Expanded Session on Tuesday (Jun. 17). He warned that the current leadership vacuum is worsening ongoing wars between nations.
“Seated at this table are three permanent members of the UN Security Council and other nations with a tradition of defending peace. The time has come to restore the UN’s leading role,” said the Brazilian president in Kananaskis, Canada. “The Secretary-General must lead a representative group of countries committed to peace, tasked with reestablishing the organization’s prerogative as a forum for dialogue and mutual understanding.”
The G7 is composed of seven of the world’s largest industrialized economies—Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom—along with the European Union. Among them, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Lula cited Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, which, according to him, “threaten to turn the Middle East into a single battlefield, with inestimable global consequences.”
Regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Lula said that neither side would be able to achieve its goals through military means. “Only dialogue between the parties can lead to a ceasefire and pave the way for lasting peace,” said the Brazilian president.
Lula also commented on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, stating that nothing justifies the “indiscriminate killing of thousands of women and children or the use of hunger as a weapon of war.”
Energy security
Also in his speech, the president highlighted Brazil’s role in global energy security but stressed that the country will not become a stage for predatory races and exclusionary practices.
“Developing countries need to participate in all stages of the global strategic mineral chains, including processing,” he noted.
He emphasized that the expansion of wind and solar farms, along with the decarbonization of the transport and agricultural sectors, relies on strategic minerals. He also highlighted that Brazil holds the world’s largest reserves of niobium; the second-largest reserves of nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements; and the third-largest reserves of manganese and bauxite.
“But we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. For centuries, mineral exploration has generated wealth for a few while leaving a trail of destruction and misery for many. It must never threaten biomes like the Amazon or the seabed,” the president added.
He mentioned Brazil’s role in producing biofuels, using clean energy sources, and producing green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel.
Relations with Canada
In a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared on social media, Lula praised his strong defense of Canada’s sovereignty and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations.
“I want to strengthen Brazil’s relationship with Canada. It’s a very important country, and many Canadian companies operate in Brazil. I would like us to have a much stronger political, cultural, commercial, and climate partnership. That’s my aim,” said Lula.
Carney emphasized that COP30, to be held in Belém, Brazil, will be the most important global meeting of the year and offered his full support. “There is no one better to lead this effort than you,” said the Prime Minister, referring to Lula.
