The meeting comes as Washington continues consultations with European allies following recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and as NATO members coordinate positions ahead of the alliance’s summit in Ankara.

According to the spokesperson, Wadephul and Rubio will review developments in the Middle East, where regional security remains a key priority for both governments amid ongoing diplomatic initiatives and conflict-related challenges.

The ministers will also discuss continued Western support for Ukraine as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year, alongside preparations for the NATO summit, where defense spending, deterrence and allied security cooperation are expected to dominate the agenda.

Following his visit to Washington, Wadephul will continue his diplomatic tour with stops in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, the ministry said.

Ilan Goldfajn, president of the IDB, used the meeting to present the case that rare earth and other strategic mineral projects can generate economic benefits for Latin America if environmental protections, labor standards and governance safeguards are properly enforced.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of longstanding Vatican criticism of multinational mining operations, particularly in Latin America, where extraction projects have frequently sparked disputes over environmental degradation, Indigenous land rights and unequal distribution of economic gains.

Goldfajn acknowledged those concerns but said the region has an opportunity to avoid the mistakes that have historically accompanied resource extraction.

“It’s a unique opportunity for the region, but you need to do it in the right way with the standards, the labor conditions, with the environmental conditions and the governance,” Goldfajn said in an interview before the meeting.

The IDB currently has a pipeline of approximately $4 billion in critical mineral projects, primarily in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, with roughly three-quarters of the financing involving private-sector participation.

Demand for minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements has surged as manufacturers expand production of electric vehicles, semiconductors, renewable energy systems and advanced defense technologies.

Latin America possesses some of the world’s largest reserves of these resources, positioning the region as a key supplier in increasingly competitive global supply chains.

Pope Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary and church leader in Peru before his election, is widely viewed as deeply familiar with both the economic promise and social consequences of mining activity.

His ministry included assignments in regions associated with major copper and gold extraction projects, exposing him directly to the concerns of local communities affected by industrial development.

Goldfajn said the pope’s experience gives him a nuanced understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.

The Vatican has consistently advocated stronger protections for Indigenous populations and communities impacted by extractive industries. Earlier this year, Church officials promoted initiatives encouraging religious institutions to review investments in mining companies and increase support for communities affected by resource extraction.

The campaign followed years of criticism from the late Pope Francis, who frequently highlighted environmental damage linked to mining operations and called for affected Indigenous groups to be central participants in decisions involving their territories.

The Vatican did not release details of Friday’s private meeting between Goldfajn and Pope Leo.

Analysts say the pope’s views carry significant influence across Latin America, where Catholic institutions often play an important role in shaping local responses to major mining projects.

The debate comes as countries seek to balance economic development and growing global demand for critical minerals against environmental concerns and social opposition.

According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey, more than half of the world’s known rare earth oxide reserves are located in China, while Brazil holds the second-largest reserves globally, underscoring Latin America’s strategic importance in future mineral supply chains.

Brazilian Indigenous leader, writer and environmental thinker Ailton Krenak has spent decades challenging dominant political and economic assumptions in Brazil, arguing that modern consumer-driven society has severed humanity’s relationship with nature while deepening social inequality and ecological destruction.

Nearly four decades after a landmark appearance before Brazil’s constitutional assembly helped secure Indigenous rights protections in the country’s democratic constitution, Krenak has emerged as one of the country’s most influential public intellectuals, combining environmental criticism, Indigenous cosmology and political activism in lectures and bestselling books translated into more than 13 languages.

Krenak, 72, first gained national prominence in 1987 during the drafting of Brazil’s post-dictatorship constitution. Addressing lawmakers in Brasília while wearing a suit and tie, he slowly covered his face with black jenipapo dye, traditionally used in Indigenous body painting, as he condemned centuries of violence against Indigenous communities.“Indigenous blood has been spilt over every hectare of Brazil’s 8m square kilometres,” he told legislators at the time.

The gesture became one of the defining images of Brazil’s democratic transition and contributed to the inclusion of constitutional protections recognising Indigenous peoples’ rights to their traditional lands, social organisation and cultural identity under the 1988 constitution.Reflecting on the speech nearly 40 years later, Krenak described congress as a place where political power was concentrated through language and public speech.

“There, the young Ailton understood the meaning of parliament,” he said. “The place to speak, the power of the word.”In 2024, Krenak entered another historically exclusive institution when he became the first Indigenous Brazilian elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters, an organisation founded in the 19th century and traditionally dominated by white intellectual elites.

At his inauguration ceremony, Krenak used the occasion to highlight Brazil’s Indigenous diversity, invoking dozens of Indigenous peoples while wearing the academy’s formal embroidered uniform alongside Indigenous adornments.“I am only one, but I can invoke 305 peoples,” he said.Krenak’s growing international influence has been driven largely by a series of books focused on environmental degradation, capitalism and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

His 2020 book Ideas to Postpone the End of the World became a major commercial and intellectual success in Brazil and abroad, later followed by Life Is Not Useful and Ancestral Future.Across his writing and public lectures, Krenak argues that modern societies have normalised environmental destruction through economic systems centered on consumption and extraction.

“We are treading heavily on the Earth,” he said during a recent lecture in Rio de Janeiro. “Modernity is very active in making us consumers but leaves little time and space to coexist.”Krenak frequently frames environmental collapse not only as a scientific or political issue but also as a cultural and spiritual crisis. He criticises what he describes as a model of development that treats nature exclusively as a resource for economic growth.

“Development is not an innocent word,” he said. “It fires a shot at someone.”Despite the severity of his message, Krenak often delivers lectures with humour and conversational ease. During one recent appearance, he abruptly interrupted his own discussion of social exclusion and environmental decline by joking that the audience had “fallen into a trap” after expecting a more uplifting talk about dreams and creativity.

Friends and observers frequently describe his public speaking style as calm and accessible despite the radical nature of many of his arguments.Born in 1953 in Minas Gerais state, Krenak belongs to the Krenak people, whose ancestral territory lies along the Doce River in southeastern Brazil.

He recalls spending his childhood surrounded by forests, rivers and open land before military-era land seizures displaced his community.During Brazil’s military dictatorship, authorities fragmented Krenak territory and redistributed land titles to farmers, forcing Indigenous families to flee repeatedly.“It’s a bodily experience of being in a world with no risks,” Krenak said of his early childhood.

“Then suddenly you are warned by adults that you must run away.”His family eventually fled through several regions of Brazil, at times living along highways while searching for safety.“I remember the feeling of being on the run, of not knowing if we’d find a safe place to sleep,” he said.

Krenak has often linked those experiences of displacement to broader historical patterns affecting Indigenous communities and diasporic populations. He argues that Brazilian society lacks a shared historical memory because different groups experienced the country’s development through profoundly unequal realities.

“We are not equal,” he said. “We don’t have a shared memory of history in Brazil.”After relocating to São Paulo and Paraná, Krenak became involved in organising Indigenous political movements and media initiatives. He helped establish an Indigenous newspaper at São Paulo’s Pontifical Catholic University, later transforming it into audio bulletins distributed to Indigenous villages on cassette tapes and eventually into a radio programme.

In 1980, he co-founded the Union of Indigenous Nations, which became a major voice in Brazil’s Indigenous rights movement during the democratic transition.Krenak’s environmental advocacy was further shaped by the 2015 Mariana mining disaster, one of Brazil’s worst environmental catastrophes.

The collapse of a tailings dam owned by mining companies Vale and BHP Billiton destroyed villages and released toxic waste across hundreds of miles of the Doce River basin.For the Krenak people, the river is regarded as a sacred ancestor known as Watu.Ten years after the disaster, Krenak said the river remains deeply damaged.“To declare it dead would be giving up,” he said, describing the river instead as being “in a coma”.

Krenak continues to argue that Indigenous knowledge systems offer alternatives to economic models based solely on extraction and consumption.

He says modern societies must reconsider assumptions about progress, ownership and humanity’s place within nature.“If I can imagine a utopia,” he said, “it is for humans to recover the experience of a simple life.”

The Israeli foreign ministry said Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila were expelled after being arrested on April 29 when Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and escorted the vessel to Israel.

According to the foreign ministry, Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization, while Avila was suspected of illegal activity. Both activists rejected the allegations, saying they had participated in a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering aid to civilians in Gaza and describing their detention outside Israeli territorial waters as unlawful.

The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla mission launched from Spain on April 12 in an attempt to breach Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza by sea.

Images released from court proceedings earlier this month showed both men appearing before Israeli judicial authorities following their detention.

Israel has maintained tight restrictions on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, citing security concerns and the need to prevent weapons smuggling. Hamas, which governs much of the enclave, is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and several Western governments.

International scrutiny over access to humanitarian aid has intensified during the Gaza war triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The conflict has displaced large portions of Gaza’s population and sharply increased dependence on external assistance.

Humanitarian agencies and international organizations have repeatedly warned that aid deliveries into Gaza remain insufficient to meet civilian needs amid widespread destruction and deteriorating living conditions.

The flotilla interception has also drawn criticism from some United Nations experts and rights advocates, who have questioned the legality of detaining activists operating in international waters.

Two World Health Organization collaborating centres in Brazil have played a central role in strengthening efforts to detect and control leprosy and other skin-related neglected tropical diseases across the Americas, contributing technical expertise to the implementation of the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030.

The collaboration involves the Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima and the Fundação Hospitalar Alfredo da Matta, both recognized by WHO for their specialized work in leprosy and dermatological neglected tropical diseases. Their support has focused on improving diagnosis, laboratory confirmation and case management of diseases including leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis and sporotrichosis, alongside other dermatological conditions of public health importance.

According to WHO, the two institutions provided highly specialized clinical and laboratory expertise through subregional and national trainings, workshops and dermatological campaigns aimed at strengthening frontline health systems. Physicians, laboratory technicians and other health personnel participated in practical, case-based training designed to improve early detection and diagnostic accuracy.

The centres introduced updated diagnostic algorithms, laboratory protocols and hands-on mentoring during field activities, helping countries improve referral systems between primary care services and specialist centres. WHO said this contributed to earlier detection, shorter diagnostic delays and stronger continuity of care for affected patients.

The work forms part of WHO’s broader Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030, which aims to accelerate progress toward zero leprosy, reduce disability caused by delayed diagnosis and interrupt transmission through earlier case identification and stronger surveillance systems.WHO said its own role focused on strategic coordination, ensuring that technical activities aligned with regional and global health frameworks.

The agency used its convening authority to mobilize ministries of health and partners while integrating the work into wider neglected tropical disease and communicable disease elimination strategies.It also oversaw systematic monitoring and documentation to ensure activities remained consistent with WHO standards and reporting mechanisms.

The organization described the arrangement as a combination of normative leadership and operational expertise, allowing field implementation to move beyond policy planning into practical delivery.“The centres’ technical capacity at country level accelerated progress toward elimination targets and strengthened credibility and responsiveness to national requests,” WHO said in its March 27 feature report.

WHO noted that while coordination could have been managed independently, implementation would have been significantly more limited without the specialized expertise of the collaborating centres, and much of the work would have remained theoretical rather than operationally effective.

A major lesson from the programme was the effectiveness of integrated skin screenings, where multiple dermatological conditions are assessed through a single clinical approach rather than disease-specific interventions.WHO said combining screenings for leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis, sporotrichosis and other skin-related neglected tropical diseases reduced stigma for patients and improved service uptake, particularly in vulnerable communities where fear of diagnosis often delays treatment.

The approach also strengthened the broader strategy of using skin examination as an entry point for neglected tropical disease control, allowing healthcare workers to identify multiple conditions through a unified platform.Through a series of national and subregional workshops and campaigns, countries across the Region of the Americas were able to reinforce diagnostic capacity and improve laboratory confirmation of suspected cases.

WHO said these activities helped standardize training materials in line with its global guidelines while increasing awareness among frontline workers about integrated management approaches.The collaborating centres also supported the development of stronger regional networks among clinicians and laboratory professionals, helping create a more coordinated technical community across borders.

This regional harmonization was seen as particularly important for countries with limited specialist capacity, where access to standardized protocols and technical cooperation can directly influence case outcomes.The programme’s outcomes align with the broader targets of the WHO Neglected Tropical Disease Road Map, which seeks to reduce the burden of neglected diseases through prevention, early diagnosis and integrated service delivery.

WHO said the collaboration directly supported programme objectives by accelerating early detection and contributing to interruption of transmission, moving countries closer to elimination milestones.Leprosy remains a public health concern in several parts of the Americas despite significant reductions in prevalence over recent decades.

According to WHO’s January 2026 leprosy fact sheet, continued delays in diagnosis remain one of the major barriers to elimination, particularly where health systems lack specialized diagnostic capacity.Cutaneous leishmaniasis and sporotrichosis also continue to present challenges in endemic areas, particularly among vulnerable populations with limited access to specialist dermatological care.

WHO said the collaboration offers further opportunities for expansion, particularly by extending integrated skin neglected tropical disease approaches to additional countries and developing multilingual regional training curricula through digital platforms.

There is also scope to deepen operational research on early detection strategies and strengthen laboratory networks across the region, particularly in underserved settings where diagnosis remains inconsistent.The organization said the experience in Brazil demonstrates how combining global strategy with country-level technical expertise can improve implementation and strengthen health systems beyond individual disease programmes.

By linking specialized dermatological knowledge with WHO’s policy coordination role, the partnership has become a model for how collaborating centres can support disease elimination efforts while building sustainable regional capacity.

Brazilian researchers are developing new coffee hybrids by blending genetic material from rare and non-commercial species in an effort to protect global arabica production from the growing impact of climate change.

At the Campinas Agronomy Institute in São Paulo state, agronomist Oliveiro Guerreiro Filho tends to a diverse collection of coffee plants that contrasts sharply with the uniform plantations typical of Brazil’s commercial farms. The experimental plots include about 15 lesser-known species such as racemosa, liberica and stenophylla, each offering genetic traits that scientists hope can strengthen the resilience of arabica, the world’s most widely consumed coffee variety.”

Researchers warn that arabica crops are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. A report released this week by Rabobank said climate change could render about 20% of current arabica-growing areas unsuitable by 2050, with Brazil, the world’s largest producer, expected to see declining output.

To address these risks, scientists are attempting to introduce hardier genetic traits from wild and underutilized species into arabica plants. The goal is to develop hybrids that can withstand drought, heat, pests and diseases while maintaining the flavor and yield characteristics that make arabica dominant in global markets.“We’ve been working at the institute for many years to transfer drought tolerance genes from the racemosa species to arabica,” Guerreiro Filho said. “We’re trying to create drought-tolerant arabica varieties.

The process is complex and time-intensive. Researchers must cross-breed different species, cultivate hybrid plants, and subject them to harsh environmental conditions to identify those with the strongest resilience. Guerreiro Filho said the full development cycle can take between 20 and 30 years before a viable variety is ready for commercial use.

Some of the traits being targeted are already evident in the wild species. Liberica, for example, has drawn attention from farmers in Southeast Asia for its ability to tolerate high temperatures and dry conditions. Small-scale growers in Indonesia and Malaysia have begun cultivating the species experimentally to assess its performance under climate stress.”

Liberica can tolerate heat and high temperature environments very well, and it is disease-resistant,” said Jason Liew, founder of My Liberica, a coffee plantation in Malaysia’s Johor state.

While such characteristics are valuable, liberica and other non-arabica species have limited commercial appeal due to lower yields or different flavor profiles. Brazilian researchers are therefore focused on transferring these beneficial traits into arabica, rather than replacing it entirely.

Early results from hybridization efforts suggest potential gains in both resilience and crop protection. Arabica plants cross-bred with liberica have shown increased resistance to coffee rust, a fungal disease that has devastated crops in several producing regions. Meanwhile, hybrids incorporating racemosa genetics appear better able to withstand attacks from coffee leaf miner larvae, a common agricultural pest.

Scientists say these advances are critical given arabica’s narrow genetic base, which limits its natural ability to adapt to environmental changes. Expanding that genetic diversity is seen as a key strategy for sustaining long-term production.“Working with alternative species of coffee is vital because arabica has an extremely narrow genetic base,” said Rodolfo Oliveira, head of the coffee unit at Brazil’s state research agency Embrapa. “This makes it highly vulnerable to pests, diseases, and climate change.

”The research also reflects broader shifts in the global coffee sector, where producers are increasingly grappling with the economic and environmental consequences of climate volatility. Reduced yields, rising production costs and shifting cultivation zones are already affecting supply chains, with implications for prices and market stability.

Brazil’s efforts to develop more resilient coffee varieties may play a central role in shaping the future of the industry. As the leading global producer and exporter, changes in its output have significant ripple effects across international markets.

At the same time, the long timelines required for developing new hybrids mean that current research will only begin to deliver results years from now. Until then, farmers remain exposed to immediate climate risks, underscoring the urgency of both scientific innovation and adaptive farming practices.

The COP30 Climate Summit in Belem, Brazil, has become a beacon of global unity as nations prepare to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Despite speculation about the United States’ participation, countries remain optimistic about achieving meaningful progress through dialogue and collaboration.

Governments from around the world have arrived in Brazil with renewed determination to protect the planet. They are ready to advance sustainable solutions that will secure a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.

This year’s summit highlights the importance of cooperation among nations, industries, and communities. It marks a defining moment for countries to reaffirm their shared responsibility in reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.

World leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, have emphasized that global climate action cannot be delayed. They call on all nations, regardless of political stance, to work together in the spirit of multilateralism and peace.

Countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas have pledged to strengthen the Paris Agreement goals. They are committed to developing innovative strategies to limit global warming, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable economic growth.

China has expressed strong support for multilateral climate cooperation, reinforcing its role in the global transition toward clean energy.
Its continued leadership in renewable industries such as solar panels and electric batteries demonstrates how nations can benefit economically from going green.

South American nations hosting the event, particularly Brazil, have taken pride in welcoming the world to the heart of the Amazon. The setting symbolizes hope and resilience, reminding all participants of the importance of protecting vital ecosystems.

Experts believe that COP30 will showcase how collective willpower can overcome political differences. The conference’s agenda includes discussions on climate finance, green technologies, and protection against extreme weather events.

While debates over energy policies continue, the overall tone of the summit remains one of optimism and cooperation. Delegates from across the world have expressed confidence that progress can be achieved through mutual understanding and shared innovation.

Businesses and environmental organizations are also playing a key role in shaping sustainable solutions. From clean energy startups to international non-profits, the summit has become a global platform for creative partnerships and new environmental commitments.

Countries like Norway, Japan, and South Korea have reaffirmed their dedication to clean energy investments and environmental protection. Their combined efforts aim to accelerate global decarbonization and encourage innovation in green industries.

Belem has transformed into a hub of global collaboration, where hope replaces division and vision replaces doubt. Nations are united by the belief that sustainable development is not just an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity.

This cooperative spirit stands as a testament to how the world can rise above differences and work together for a better tomorrow. Through partnership, persistence, and progress, COP30 is shaping up to be a landmark event for climate diplomacy and global unity.

The focus is no longer on what divides countries but on what binds them — the shared goal of protecting our planet. As world leaders and citizens alike look ahead, COP30 serves as a reminder that collective action remains humanity’s greatest tool in facing the climate challenge.

The winners, also in Brazil, Colombia, India and South Africa, shared a $250,000 prize at the awards, launched last year by T4 Education, a global network for educators.

The Max Rayne Hand in Hand Jerusalem School won the Overcoming Adversity prize for its integration of Jewish and Arab students.

Lessons are taught in both Hebrew and Arabic to more than 600 students. The school won the prize amid Israel’s war in Gaza, which was launched in response to the deadly attack on southern Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7.

“Winning an award as ‘the best school in the world’ would normally be a cause for celebration. With a war waging and thousands of precious lives lost, this is not the time for celebration. It is the time for resolution,” Dani Elazar, chief executive of the Hand in Hand schools network, said in a statement.

The community collaboration prize went to SPARK Soweto, based in the South African township where former president Nelson Mandela once lived.

It was recognised for teaching students how to vote, curb waste pollution and address gender based violence. Its students also teach younger children to read.

Colombia’s Institución Educativa Municipal Montessori sede San Francisco, based in the town of Pitalito, won the environmental action prize for a student programme that turns coffee pulp waste into eco-friendly products, like organic soap.

EEMTI Joaquim Bastos Gonçalves school in Carnaubal, Brazil, won the supporting healthy lives award for providing students with access to psychologists and teaching about mental health following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The innovation prize went to the Riverside School in Ahmedabad, India, for its student-centric approach and programme focused on cultivating empathy, creativity and social responsibility.

The inaugural community choice award, voted by the public, went to Escola Municipal Professor Edson Pisani in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for local initiatives including a new bus route and community waste project.

“Educators across the world should look to the shining examples of your schools in the difference you have made to so many lives,” T4 Education and the prizes founder Vikas Pota said. “Governments must look to the trailblazing work you have done as they seek answers to the great challenges we face today.”

In three days since the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened to allow nationals of other countries to leave Gaza, Brazilians waiting to leave were not on the list approved by Israel, despite diplomatic efforts to include them.

“For the third time, the Israeli government denied the departure of Brazilian citizens threatened by the massacre against the civilian population in the Gaza strip,” Workers Party president Gleisi Hoffmann said in a social media post.

She said the Israeli government has not provided any explanation for what she said was discrimination. Brazil tried to find a negotiated solution to the conflict when it presided over the U.N. Security Council in October, Hoffmann said.

“Unfortunately, the Israeli government signals that it has established a political hierarchy for the release of civilians, favoring some countries over others,” Hoffmann said.

“We cannot allow that Brazilian civilians remain threatened in a region under military massacre,” she added.

Hundreds of foreign passport holders and gravely injured Palestinians have been evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah crossing to Egypt since Wednesday in a deal brokered by Qatar between Egypt, Israel and Hamas, in coordination with the U.S.

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza, after the militant group killed 1,400 people and took more than 240 hostages in an Oct. 7 assault in southern Israel. Israel’s retaliation by air and ground assault has killed more than 9,250 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say.

A diplomatic source briefed on Egyptian plans said some 7,500 foreign passport holders would be evacuated over two weeks.

Brazilian officials said they have no explanation for the failure to let their citizens out of Gaza. Some local media have speculated it is due to positions taken by Brazil at the United Nations and comments by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula has criticized the “terrorism” of Hamas that started the war, but he has also criticized Israel for its “insane” bombardment of Gaza that has killed hundreds of children.

Lula said in a live broadcast on social media he would probably make a stop in Saudi Arabia on his way to the United Arab Emirates to attend the COP28 global climate meeting next month.

The leftist leader is recovering from hip surgery he underwent late last month and has yet to be cleared by his doctors to travel. He said he was feeling fine.