German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sparked outrage after making disparaging comments about Belém, host city of the UN Climate Conference in Brazil. After attending COP30, Merz told journalists none wanted to stay in Belém, calling Germany “one of the most beautiful countries” and implying Belém lacked appeal.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who suggested Merz should have experienced local culture, food, and hospitality to appreciate Belém’s true value, stating Berlin “does not even offer 10% of the quality” found there.
German Green party lawmaker Lisa Badum, attending the conference, publicly urged Merz to apologize to both President Lula and the people of Belém, calling his comments narrow-minded and a disservice to international solidarity needed to fight the climate crisis.
While Merz’s spokesperson denied any intention to insult Brazil, the backlash highlights tensions around diplomacy, respect, and cooperation as the world faces urgent climate challenges.
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