On July 15 and 16, the city of Belém, in the state of Pará, will host the first edition of South Summit Brazil Amazônia – Climate & Bioeconomy, an international event set to bring together startups, investors, corporations, and government leaders to explore solutions to climate challenges and sustainable development, particularly through the lens of the Amazon’s potential. The initiative is part of the lead-up to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in November, also in the capital of Pará. The goal is to harness innovation and entrepreneurship to catalyze high-impact socio-environmental solutions and global connections. The announcement was made during a press conference on Thursday, April 24, with key figures from the public and private sectors.
The event will take place at Estação das Docas, one of Belém’s most iconic venues, and is expected to draw around 2,000 participants. The program will feature two content stages, 120 national and international speakers, business matchmaking sessions, networking spaces, a startup marketplace, and the presence of international delegations—replicating the successful format of the South Summit editions in Porto Alegre.
Maria Benjumea, founder and global president of South Summit, opened the press conference by emphasizing the uniqueness and relevance of this new edition. “We arrive in the Amazon with open hearts and a commitment to connect innovation, sustainability, and development. Belém is the perfect place for this gathering, especially ahead of COP30. Our goal is to unite innovators to confront challenges and build a healthier planet—with the Amazon at the center of global transformation”.
Maria also noted that the South Summit has been in Brazil for four years, thanks to a strategic partnership with the government of Rio Grande do Sul, which led to the creation of South Summit Brazil in Porto Alegre. “This fourth edition was extraordinary, with strong international attendance and impressive business volume. The central theme was Beyond Resilience, reflecting the incredible collective recovery of Rio Grande do Sul after the devastating floods in May”.
José Renato Hopf, president of South Summit Brazil, highlighted that the Belém edition is part of a broader commitment to long-term impact. “What drives us is purpose. South Summit is more than an event—it’s a movement. We believe innovation shouldn’t just generate business, but transform realities. We want to give the Amazon a voice and show the world the sustainable, impactful solutions being developed here”.
Belém as a Hub for Climate Innovation
Keynes Lemos da Silva, Deputy Secretary of Science, Technology, and Higher, Professional and Technological Education for the state of Pará, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “We attended the last edition in Porto Alegre and experienced the power of this event. Hosting it in Belém, in such a symbolic year, is a major opportunity to showcase our sustainable projects and bioeconomy to the world”.
André Godinho, Executive Secretary of COP30, stated that the South Summit Brazil Amazônia will be a key milestone on the pre-COP calendar. He also revealed that the event will serve as a testbed for infrastructure and logistics ahead of the UN climate conference. “The world is watching the Amazon, and we want to build a legacy. South Summit is a powerful ally. During the event, we will announce a package of tax incentives aimed at attracting tech companies to Belém, transforming the city’s historic center into an innovation hub with full tax exemption for startups and sustainable ventures”.
Collaboration and Curated Connections
Wagner Lopes, Country Manager of South Summit Brazil, presented the technical details of the conference and emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative. The program will center around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change, energy transition, bioeconomy, circular economy, ESG, open innovation, impact investing, and public policies for innovation. “Our goal is to build a bridge between the people driving change in the Amazon and the global innovation community. We will host pitch sessions, facilitate startup-investor matchmaking, bring in international speakers, and create real opportunities for global connection—built through active engagement with the local ecosystem”.
In addition to the main event, five warm-up events will be held in major Brazilian cities, starting with Rio de Janeiro. Two official launch events will also take place: one in São Paulo and another in Belém. Ticket sales to the general public will open in the coming weeks.