Politics · Brazil · 30 mins ago
Lula heads to COP31 without Brazil's top congressional leaders
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travelled to Turkey on Monday for the UN climate conference, COP31.
He is joined by ministers, diplomats and other officials, but the leaders of Brazil's Senate and lower house did not go.
Lula had invited them, but they said they could not spend a week away from Brasília while handling votes and political plans.
Their absence, along with that of some other political allies, may slow talks on changes to Lula's cabinet for his next term.
At COP31, Brazil will hand over the conference's temporary presidency to Turkey, after hosting the previous summit in Belém.
Lula is due to speak at the opening and discuss climate action, forest protection and funding; Brazil hopes to secure more support for environmental projects.
He will then travel to the Philippines for an ASEAN summit and is expected to return to Brazil on November 16.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travelled to Turkey for COP31 without Brazil’s top congressional leaders.
Lula had invited the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, but both declined.
The congressional leaders said they could not spend a week away from Brasília because of political and legislative obligations.
Lula was accompanied by ministers, ambassadors and other officials, and was due to attend the COP31 leaders’ summit.
He was scheduled to travel from Turkey to Manila for the ASEAN summit in the Philippines.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travelled with ministers, ambassadors and other officials. The presidents of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate did not join him.
- What
- Lula travelled to attend COP31, the UN climate conference.
- When
- He departed on November 9, 2026. COP31 events were scheduled for November 11 and 12.
- Where
- Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- Lula was attending COP31. The congressional leaders declined his invitation because they could not spend a week away from Brasília while handling political and legislative duties.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lula said that preserving nature is more profitable and that he would press other countries to take climate action at COP31.
Lula departed for Turkey with ministers, ambassadors and other officials, but without the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
Lula was scheduled to deliver the opening speech at COP31 and take part in a discussion about the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.
Lula was scheduled to hold bilateral meetings, with more than 15 having been requested, according to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry.
Lula was scheduled to travel to Manila for the ASEAN summit and make an official visit to the Philippines.
- Departure date
- November 9, 2026
- COP31 location
- Antalya, Turkey
- COP31 dates
- November 11–12
- Chamber president
- Hugo Motta
- Senate president
- Davi Alcolumbre
- Next destination
- Manila, Philippines
5 sources
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What people are saying
preserving is more profitable