Imagine spending nearly $800 million in public money to organize an international conference. Naturally, you’d expect at least the basics to work: adequate security, functioning air conditioning, and roofs that don’t leak water onto electrical installations, right?

However, if you imagined this for COP30 in Belém, you’re underestimating Lula’s government’s capacity to transform billions into international shame. Consequently, the UN itself had to send a formal letter demanding Brazil correct the “serious failures” that turned the conference into an operational fiasco.

The Letter of Shame: When the UN Loses Patience

First, let’s look at the document that exposes Brazilian incompetence brutally. UNFCCC executive secretary Simon Stiell sent a devastating letter to Minister Rui Costa (Civil House) and Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.

Moreover, the tone leaves no doubt: “Brazilian authorities failed to manage or comply with the agreed security plan. This represents a serious violation of the established security framework and raises significant concern about the host country’s fulfillment of security obligations.”

The Diplomatic Ultimatum

On the other hand, note the irony: Stiell had to write “I would appreciate if we could receive confirmation that the appropriate security measures outlined above will be put in place by the end of the day.” Clearly, he’s politely asking for what should have been obvious from the start.

Consequently, when the UN needs to send a letter demanding action “by end of day,” you know the situation has exceeded all acceptable limits.

The Invasion That Exposed Incompetence

Now, let’s look at the episode that triggered this crisis. On Tuesday (11/11), about 150 protesters invaded the Blue Zone, the supposedly restricted and secure conference area.

Moreover, here’s the most embarrassing detail: police forces were on site but didn’t contain the action. That is, there was no shortage of officers — there was a shortage of competence, planning, and command.

Unguarded Doors and Phantom Security

On the other hand, the UN letter lists failures that seem like a comedy script, not an international conference. There were “poor quality” doors and gates that “could not be guarded during the November 11 invasion.”

Similarly, the Federal Police stated they were instructed by the Civil House not to intervene in dispersing protesters. Consequently, we have present police but prohibited from acting — pure genius of government planning.

The $800 Million That Didn’t Buy Competence

Meanwhile, let’s talk about money. The federal government announced investment of approximately $800 million to prepare COP30. Additionally, the Pará state government invested about $700 million more in structural works.

Therefore, we’re talking about nearly $1.5 billion spent to organize a conference that can’t even keep doors closed or air conditioning running. Clearly, the problem isn’t lack of resources — it’s absolute management incompetence.

Waste in Numbers

Moreover, let’s detail where all this money went. The Metropolitan BRT alone cost $230 million. On the other hand, Belém received $700 million just in 2024 from various sources including BNDES, Itaipu, and State Treasury.

Consequently, with nearly $1.5 billion invested, the minimum expected was a functional event. However, what we have is an operational fiasco that embarrasses the country internationally.

Unbearable Heat and Health Risks

Now, let’s look at infrastructure problems that make participants’ experience a nightmare. High temperatures in Belém worsened conditions in COP30 pavilions, with inoperative or incomplete air conditioning systems. Stiell reported cases of health problems among delegates and staff.

Moreover, think of the irony: a climate conference that can’t climatize its own pavilions. Clearly, this failure’s symbolism couldn’t be more perfect to illustrate the general incompetence.

When Heat Becomes Medical Emergency

On the other hand, heat is already causing health concerns among participants. Consequently, international delegations that invested millions to participate are dealing with unhealthy conditions that compromise even their representatives’ health.

Similarly, this isn’t just discomfort — it’s a public health issue and the host country’s international responsibility.

Rain, Leaks, and Electric Shock Risk

Meanwhile, if you thought heat was the only problem, prepare yourself. Heavy rains in Belém resulted in water infiltration through roofs and lighting fixtures, causing not only disruption but also potential safety risks due to electricity exposure.

Moreover, Stiell notes that storms are constant in Belém, and there’s fear that water could expose participants to electric shock risks. Therefore, besides unbearable heat, we have electrocution risk.

Infrastructure That Crumbles

On the other hand, let’s be clear: rain in Belém isn’t news. However, even knowing this, the government wasn’t able to create minimally adequate infrastructure to protect electrical installations from water.

Consequently, international delegations work literally at life risk because of Brazilian incompetence.

Poor Offices and Wasted Money

Furthermore, the UN letter details another scandal: contracted spaces’ conditions. “Even with considerable costs paid by parties for their offices and pavilion spaces, conditions delivered in many cases are well below agreed standards and, in some situations, not suitable for use.”

That is, countries paid dearly for spaces that lack minimum conditions for use. Clearly, this isn’t just mismanagement — it’s commercial deception on an international scale.

Bathrooms Closed During Conference

On the other hand, there’s more. The letter cites many complaints about bathroom quality, which had to be closed for repairs during the conference. Therefore, not even functional toilets could the government provide with $800 million.

Consequently, international delegations face not only heat, electrical risk, and leaks, but also lack of adequate bathrooms.

Warnings Ignored Months Earlier

Now, here’s what makes everything even more unacceptable: months before the conference began, dozens of negotiators signed a letter addressed to Lula’s government and Stiell pressing for COP30 to be transferred, at least partially, to another city — complaints were due to high accommodation prices and infrastructure problems in the Pará capital.

Moreover, 27 countries signed a letter demanding solutions for Belém’s infrastructure. Therefore, the government was repeatedly warned about problems but ignored all alerts.

Lula’s Arrogance

On the other hand, what was Lula’s response to the warnings? The president highlighted that keeping the event in Belém demonstrated “an act of courage.” Clearly, he confused courage with irresponsible stubbornness.

Consequently, what Lula called “courage” proved to be incompetence that embarrasses Brazil internationally.

Conclusion: An Announced and Ignored Fiasco

In summary, COP30 in Belém represents everything wrong with Brazilian public management under Lula: monumental waste of resources, chronic operational incompetence, systematic financial opacity, and political arrogance that ignores clear warnings.

On one hand, the government spent nearly $1.5 billion. On the other hand, it couldn’t deliver adequate security, functional climate control, rain protection, or even working bathrooms.

Moreover, when 27 countries warned about problems months earlier, Lula called his stubbornness in ignoring alerts “courage.” Consequently, this “courage” cost Brazil’s international credibility.

Finally, the UN letter isn’t just a demand for improvements — it’s a public certificate of incompetence. When the very organization that trusted Brazil to host the conference needs to send a formal document listing serious failures, you know we’ve exceeded all acceptable limits.

Therefore, COP30 won’t be remembered as a landmark of Brazilian climate leadership, but as another shameful chapter of waste, incompetence, and international humiliation funded with billions from taxpayers.

Do you think anyone will be held accountable for this billion-dollar fiasco? Does Brazil still have credibility to host major events? Share your opinion in the comments!