COP30, By Roberto Rodrigues: Brazil has developed a sustainable productive model that can be replicated across the planet’s tropical belt."
Publicado em 15/05/2025
Divulgação
Roberto Rodrigues Appointed as COP30’s Agriculture Sponso
Published on 05/09/2025 -
Agriconscient Show - Boadcasted by Radio Eldorado Estadão - Brazil
*José Luiz Tejon
I’m here by Mr. Roberto Rodrigues' side, a prominent leader in Agribusiness who has held key positions worldwide. Currently an Emeritus Professor at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), he was recently invited by COP30 to serve as the organizer and sponsor, coordinating the voice of Brazilian Agribusiness for the summit.
When I asked him about his preparations for the event, he replied: “Thank you, Tejon, for the opportunity to share this with your audience. First of all, I must say it’s a tremendous honor.
I have great admiration and respect for our Ambassador Mr. André Corrêa do Lago, and being invited by him to advise on agriculture was indeed gratifying.
Actually, we’re making progress, and the plan is structured in three phases: First, we’re bringing together all rural leaders to establish a unified agenda, because this ain't the ‘Amazon COP,’ the ‘Forest COP,’ or even the ‘Brazil COP.’ Actually It’s the Climate COP for the entire world.
Our Ambassador, Mr. Corrêa do Lago wants this to be a COP of tangible action, advancing the commitments made in previous summits.
So, the initial step is creating a cohesive agenda that aligns the majority of Agribusiness' interests. Once we achieve this state of harmony, which is no small task, we’ll present it to the government, since COPs are negotiated by governments.
Next step, we must convince the government to adopt this consensus position that won’t be an easy task as the government isn’t monolithic.
There are differing views across ministries such as Environment, Agriculture, Trade, Industry, and Diplomacy. But if we succeed, this position will be Brazil’s official stance at COP30.
The third phase is engaging the Private Sector. Governments don’t make the final decisions alone; it’s a highly contested space with stakeholders from other countries, NGOs, and even domestic opposition.
Therefore, alongside government efforts, we’ll work directly with private actors to demonstrate that Brazil isn’t seeking special treatment, only to showcase our productive, sustainable, efficient, and competitive agricultural model. This model can be replicated across the planet’s Tropical Belt: Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia, I mean, regions with untapped potential where technology remains underutilized. Brazil must prove its approach works and can be scaled globally.”
I then asked Mr. Rodrigues, given his Brazilian perspective and, in my opinion, his planetary vision regarding food, energy, and cooperativism, whether COP30 could improve Brazil’s global image and what steps we need. He responded: “I’m hopeful it will. As you know better than I do, dear Prof.Tejon, our Ambassador, Mr. Corrêa do Lago is a master negotiator, and he’ll chair COP30 marking the first time Brazil both hosts and presides over a COP. This time, however, brings us an added challenge: President Trump’s withdrawal from the WTO and the Paris Agreement could weaken global momentum. Based on this landscape, this might create an interesting opening for Brazil Agribusiness to highlight our competence, effectiveness, and, above all, sustainable production.
So, COP30 could offer us a bigger opportunity than ever to show the real Brazilian Agricompetence and claim the global standing we deserve.”
Good luck and success!
*Prof.Dr.José Luiz Tejon - PhD in Education Universidad de La Empresa/Uruguay. Academic Director Brazil+Tropical Belt Nations at International Agribusiness MBA Audencia France & Fecap Brazil. Master's degree in Art Education and History of Culture - Mackenzie University. Journalist and Publicist - Harvard, MIT and PACE/USA/Insead in France. Specialization Academic Coordinator of Master's Science Food & Agribusiness Management at Audencia in Nantes/France, and FECAP/Brazil. Managing Partner at Biomarketing and TCA International. Professional Head at Agri Anefac. Writer, author and co-author of 37 books. Agri Personality Award 2023/ABAG -100 Most Influential People in Agribusiness. Former director of Grupo Estadão, Agriceres and Jacto S/A. 2025 Award Agriworld Group.
