President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said this Tuesday (18th) that the energy transition represents an “exceptional chance” for Brazil to achieve “true independence”, both from an economic, cultural, social and geopolitical point of view. The statement was made during the weekly program Conversa com o Presidente, broadcast by TV Brasil, an EBC broadcaster. During the program, the president stated that the return on investments made in the cultural sector is great and that the many jobs generated by this segment have resulted in the distribution of wealth, in addition to bringing knowledge to people. According to Lula, 98% of the municipalities expressed, to the Ministry of Culture, an interest in participating in the policies developed by the government for this sector. Lula is in Brussels where he is participating in the 3rd CELAC-European Union Summit, a meeting that brings together 60 leaders from Latin American and European countries. Exceptional chance In the interview granted to TV Brasil, the President of the Republic said that Brazil “is becoming even more important” for the world due to the increasing clarity about the relevance of the environmental issue and the need for an energy transition aimed at the use increasing use of sustainable energy sources that are not harmful to the environment. “Brazil has an exceptional chance. Never before in the history of Brazil have I seen so much opportunity for Brazil to conquer allies, space and investments. Above all, in this issue of energy transition, with wind, solar, biomass, ethanol and biodiesel energy”, evaluated Lula. True independence “Now, with green hydrogen, Brazil’s chance is extraordinary. We cannot throw this opportunity away. I think the 21st century will definitely be the century of true independence for Brazil, from an economic, cultural, social and also geopolitical point of view”, he added when arguing that humanity “needs to take into account that our every gesture and attitude can improve or worsen the condition of the planet”. He reiterated the importance of countries that still have large forests in their territories to remain united, taking joint decisions to be taken to COP-28 [Conferência das Partes das Nações Unidas sobre mudanças climáticas (COP28), em novembro, nos Emirados Árabes], and that exploration of the Amazon must be done with caution, taking into account care for the forest and the populations that live there. “We don’t want to turn the Amazon into a sanctuary for humanity. It is a territory in which we have sovereign power. What we want to share is the scientific exploration of the richness of biodiversity, to find out if we can extract pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and, above all, find ways to improve the lives of the people of the jungle. We need to think about taking care of the forest and the people, because it is the people who make our nation”, he argued. Culture is an investment Lula also spoke about the surprising return that the government has observed in the cultural sector. “They had extinguished the Ministry of Culture, but we recreated it. In addition to putting money in the Budget, we had two important laws: Paulo Gustavo and Aldir Blanc, each of them with almost R$ 4 billion in resources to be distributed in cultural activities throughout Brazil”, said the president. He stated that he was informed by the Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, that 98% of the municipalities signed up to receive funds destined for policies aimed at the sector. “That means the culture has returned. And it came back in full force. We want to create cultural committees in each capital of the country, to value the local culture and leave the Rio-São Paulo axis. We need to make culture all over Brazil”, he opined. According to him, it is also necessary to think about culture from an economic and financial point of view, because it generates a large number of jobs, in addition to bringing knowledge to the population. “Cultural activity is very strong economically. Anyone who says that when the government puts money into culture it is spending it is a fool. He’s a liar. He is ignorant because money in culture means investment. It generates jobs, opportunities and distributes wealth, in addition to bringing knowledge and fun to the minds of the people. This is extraordinary”, said Lula. “There are people who think that an artist only interferes because he only spends money and is kissing someone else. Quit being ignorant. Art is art, and we have to like it as it is. The artist deserves respect from the Brazilian people”, he concluded.
Agência Brasil
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