Lula criticizes military spending, vacuum of global leadership and calls for dialogue for peace

President warns at the Canadian power meeting need for climate change mobilization. And criticizes the intensification of wars that accumulate and the risk of “invaluable” consequences

President Lula noted on Tuesday (17/6) that military spending on the developed world annually consumes US $ 2.7 trillion, equivalent to Italy’s GDP. As a guest, the Brazilian leader spoke to the G7 summit in Canada that wars and conflicts accumulate in the face of the vacuum of leadership in global governance and international organizations. “Three permanent members of the Security Council are sitting around this table and other nations with tradition in defense of peace. It is time to return the protagonism to the UN,” Lula has charged.

In his speech, he warned that the war between Russia and Ukraine will have no solution by the military. He stressed that nothing justifies the “indiscriminate killing” of women and children in Gaza, and the use of hunger as a weapon of war by Israel. “There are still countries that resist recognizing the Palestinian state, which highlights their selectivity in defending law and justice.”

The Brazilian head of state also warned that the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Iran, after the attacks started by the former, “threaten the Middle East a single battlefield, with priceless global consequences.” And criticized the indifference of the international community before “the daily life of chaos and atrocities perpetrated by organized crime” in Haiti.

“Only dialogue between the parties can lead to a ceasefire and pave the way to lasting peace,” Lula said about the global scenario he classified as worrying before reaching the meeting. “It does not underestimate the magnitude of the task of complying with all these threats. But it is evident that the leadership vacuum aggravates this picture.”

Read Lula’s full speech in the G7

Climate change and energy transition

President Lula recalled that the G7 was created as a reaction to the oil crisis 50 years ago. And that the crisis that should mobilize the nations developed in the present is climate.

The G7 was created in 1975, at the initiative of French President Valéry Giscard D’Estaing, with the aim of bringing together the world’s most industrialized countries at the time to deal with common interest economic policy issues. In 2025, the group completes 50 years of existence. The member countries are currently: Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and the kingdom for the Canada meeting were also invited South Africa, Australia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, India and Mexico. In addition to leaders of the following international bodies: UN, World Bank, European Commission and the European Union Council.

“The shocks of the seventy years have shown that fossil fuel dependence condemns the planet to an uncertain future. But the world resists diversification is key to energy safety. Brazil was the first country to invest in a large scale in renewable alternatives; 90% of our electric matrix comes from clean sources,” Lula said.

The president remembered Brazil’s pioneering spirit in the research and production of green fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. He also cited investments in the development of green hydrogen, decarbonization of the transportation and agriculture sector in the expansion of wind and solar parks.

“It is impossible to discuss the energy transition without mentioning them and without including Brazil. We have the largest world reserve of niobium, the second of nickel, graffiti and rare lands and the third of manganese and bauxite. But we will not repeat the errors of the past. For centuries, mineral exploration generated wealth for a few and left traces of destruction and misery for many. Few and left traces of destruction and misery for many. She should not threaten biomes like the Amazon and sea funds, ”he said.

Lula’s speech reinforced messages taken by Brazil to the ocean summit in Nice last week. “Brazil will not become the scene of predatory races and exclusionary practices,” he said. “Developing countries need to participate in all stages of global strategic mineral chains, including their processing. This was our position in the G20 and it has been our tonic at BRICS,” he reiterated.

“Partnerships should be based on mutual benefits, not geopolitical disputes. If rivalry prevails over cooperation, there will be no energy security.”

The president’s agenda in Canada also provides meetings with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Originally published by GOV AGENCY ON 06/17/2025