COP30 and global challenges dominate international news.

Top world news on November 17, 2025

The last 72 hours have been marked by high-impact global events, most notably COP30, debates on climate change, European competitiveness, and environmental preservation initiatives.

COP30 and the role of the People's Summit

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that the COP30 would not be feasible without the People's Summit., a parallel event that brought together social movements, indigenous peoples, and representatives of civil society in Belém. In a letter to the participants, Lula emphasized the importance of mobilization to strengthen climate governance and multilateralism, as well as criticizing climate change denial.

The president highlighted the urgency of advancing decisions on just transition, adaptation, climate finance, and combating deforestation, central themes for the preservation of the Amazon and the planet. Lula also announced that he will return to Belém on the 19th for meetings with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and representatives from various countries and social sectors.

The People's Summit concluded with a grand banquet in Praça da República, Belém, combining cultural events and the distribution of food from community kitchens, reinforcing the popular and inclusive nature of the event.

Europe assesses competitiveness based on the Draghi report.

In Europe, the discussion about the competitiveness of member states remains on the agenda. According to recent analysis, European Union countries are still showing resistance to ceding powers to European regulators, which impacts economic integration and the ability to respond to global challenges.

Environmental preservation and sustainable production

In Belém, the president of the UN General Assembly visited a cocoa farm that combines sustainability and preservation of the Amazon rainforest. The initiative is a concrete example of how agricultural practices can contribute to environmental conservation and local economic development.

Impacts and perspectives

• Climate governance: COP30 reinforces the need for swift and effective decisions to contain the climate crisis, focusing on the Amazon as a global symbol.
• Civil society: The active participation of social movements and indigenous peoples demonstrates the importance of inclusive dialogue in international negotiations.
• European challenges: Hesitation in relinquishing regulatory powers can limit competitiveness and a joint response to crises.
• Economic sustainability: Projects like sustainable cocoa production demonstrate ways to reconcile the economy and the environment.

Photo by Zulfugar Karimov on Unsplash