“To set our network in motion, to promote the exchange of experiences, enabling cities to learn from each other's mistakes and successes, shortening paths to the promotion of public policies and the implementation of actions on the climate agenda. This is the importance of this event.” With these words, Rodrigo Perpétuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America, opened the 1st Pernambuco ICLEI Meeting, in the municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus.

Between August 12th and 14th, the meeting brought together local, state, and national leaders to discuss biodiversity, the circular economy, and the preparation of territories for COP30. "The Agreste region of Pernambuco is hosting this event to discuss issues that concern us all: the effects of climate change resulting from environmental damage," emphasizes Roberto Asfora, mayor of the host city.

During the program, Brejo da Madre de Deus and Belo Jardim formalized the contracting of the Compact Climate Compliance (CCc) solution, developed by ICLEI South America to support municipalities with fewer than 200,000 inhabitants in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and strengthening climate resilience. Belo Jardim, a strategic partner of ICLEI, launched its Greenhouse Gas Inventory (IEGEE) at the Janelas para o Rio Park, an initiative that marks a decisive step towards local climate planning and will guide more effective public policies. The municipality was also announced as the host of the 2nd Pernambuco ICLEI Meeting, strengthening its regional leadership in the sustainability agenda.

Furthermore, the municipalities of Toritama and Panelas formalized their association with ICLEI during the event's opening, expanding the network of local governments committed to building more sustainable and resilient territories.

Thematic sessions are an opportunity for exchange of experiences and access to knowledge

“"Biodiversity – Conservation as an instrument for sustainable development"”

Moderated by Rodrigo Corradi, Director of ICLEI Brazil, the first panel of the day was themed “Biodiversity – Conservation as an instrument for sustainable development,” aiming to discuss the strategic role of conservation in the sustainable development of territories, considering global agreements, recent advances in the Brazilian legal framework, ongoing public policies, and local experiences with replicability potential. “The purpose of this activity is to reflect on public policies, regulatory instruments, and local experiences that are repositioning natural areas and ecological assets as central elements for climate action, social inclusion, and the promotion of environmental justice,” explains Corradi.

The session included the participation of representatives from northeastern municipalities such as Patos, in Paraíba, through speeches by the vice-mayor Jacob Souto; Roberto Asfora Filho, councilor of Brejo da Madre de Deus; Sinézio Rodrigues, Secretary of the Environment of Serra Talhada; Alexandre Leite, Executive Secretary of Sustainability of Caruaru; and representation from the State of Paraíba, through Thiago César Farias da Silva, Executive Manager of Protected Areas, Biodiversity and Coastal Management of the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability and CFBio. The first block ended with a moment for public participation in the debate.

“"Multilevel Climate Action – Local Actions for Adaptation and Disaster Prevention in Perspective"”

The objective of the plenary session “Multilevel Climate Action – Local Actions for Adaptation and Disaster Prevention in Perspective” was to discuss the progress, challenges, and opportunities related to the implementation of public policies focused on climate action, and to learn about practical initiatives implemented in the Northeast region of Brazil, with a special focus on coordinated action between different levels of government.

Inamara Melo, Director of Policies for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, opened the proceedings by providing context on the Federal Government's actions in response to the climate emergency and presented the AdaptaCidades Program. Subsequent presentations addressed the challenges and progress achieved in the state of Pernambuco, through the participation of George Vitoriano, Risk Management Manager of the Pernambuco Civil Defense, and Paula Menezes, Executive Secretary of the Environment for the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, from the perspective of risk prevention.

The session also included the participation of representatives from two other northeastern capitals: Teresina (PI), through Leonardo Madeira, coordinator of the 2030 Agenda at the City Hall of the capital of Piauí, and Welison Silveira, Secretary of the Environment of João Pessoa and national coordinator of the CB27 Forum, which brings together secretaries of the Environment from Brazilian capitals.

“"Perspectives on the Food Systems of Pernambuco"”

The session “The Diverse Perspectives of Food Systems in Pernambuco” promoted debate on food sovereignty and security in the territories, integrating public policies, multi-sectoral actions, and examples of local practices. The importance of the topic lies in a context where Brazil reaffirms its commitment to the cause through the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, during its G20 presidency in 2024.

Municipal experiences, such as public procurement from family farms, strengthening of COMSEAs (Municipal Councils for Food Security and Nutrition), community kitchens, and the inclusion of food issues in urban planning, demonstrate the strategic role of cities. In Pernambuco, the territorial diversity—from the coast to the interior—demands adapted approaches that reconcile traditional, agroecological, and conventional production.

Bruna Pitosi, coordinator of Support for Actions Promoting Healthy Eating at the National Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security of the Ministry of Social Development, addressed the topic from the perspective of the Federal Government. Adriana Figueira, executive secretary of Urban Agriculture of Recife, and Marcelo Gama, director-president of AMMA in Petrolina, shared their practical experience in cities of different sizes, presenting concrete ways to guarantee the right to food, promote resilience, and face social, environmental, and climatic challenges. The panel also included the participation of Letícia Cavalcante, secretary of Planning, Economic Development and Environment of Lajedo, and Leonardo Aguiar, secretary of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Brejo da Madre de Deus, as well as the participation of the audience present at the event.

The role of ecotourism as an engine for regional development combined with environmental preservation was the focus of the plenary session “Sustainable Ecotourism: Connecting Economic Development and Conservation in Pernambuco,” moderated by Luiz Gustavo Pinto, technical advisor at ICLEI. The sector is experiencing a period of expansion in the state: between January and May 2025, Pernambuco registered a growth of 9.51% in tourism revenue, according to IBGE, above the national average. The new Law No. 15.180/2025, which encourages visitation to Conservation Units, reinforces the segment's potential, uniting conservation, environmental education, income generation, and cultural appreciation. The session included a contextualization phase, with speeches by Cláudio Asfora (Executive Secretary of Tourism of Pernambuco), Rodrigo Corradi (Director of ICLEI Brazil), and Calí Oliveira (Executive Secretary of Tourism of Brejo da Madre de Deus), followed by comments on the challenges and opportunities of the sector.

With a focus on replicable models, the proposal was to reflect on how to integrate tourism, biodiversity, and the economy, ensuring socio-environmental justice. The panel addressed legal frameworks, public policies, and experiences that strengthen nature tourism as a territorial management strategy, through the sharing of experiences from Brejo da Madre de Deus and Belo Jardim.

Climate Task Force – engaging young people in the climate agenda.

The Pernambuco edition of the “Youth for Climate Task Force” was launched following a call for proposals inviting young people from the municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus to submit local projects led by youth, focusing on adaptation to climate change and the promotion of climate justice. The initiative, which seeks to identify and support projects, is part of the global Town Hall COP movement. The three best projects were recognized during the 1st Pernambuco Meeting of ICLEI Brazil.

Practical knowledge and strengthening connections

On the third day of the event (14), participants had the opportunity to learn about initiatives in the host city in practice, such as strawberry farming. The municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus is known as the largest producer of strawberries in the state, and they also took advantage of the day to strengthen connections and exchange experiences. The circuit also included the Mata do Bitury, a conservation unit in the municipalities of Brejo and Belo Jardim. 

The 1st Pernambuco Meeting of ICLEI Brazil is an initiative of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus, and is part of the global Town Hall COP30 initiative. The event has the institutional support of the Ministry of Cities and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and local sponsorship from ADEPE and the Government of the State of Pernambuco, in addition to ICLEI's partners for 2025: MRV and NetZero. Also supporting the initiative are the institutional partners: the Municipal Association of Pernambuco (Amupe), CDP, Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030), the Brazilian Association of Municipalities (ABM), the Brazilian Development Association (ABDE), and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – Latin America, funded by the European Union.