Leo XIV Appoints Archbishop in Brazil: Supporter of UN Agenda 2030
Belém is one of most prominent Amazonian archdioceses in Brazil.
Akamine’s rise
In December 2016, Father Akamine, a member of the Pallottines, was appointed Archbishop of Sorocaba by Pope Francis.
In March 2025, he was made Coadjutor Archbishop of Belém and thus successor of Archbishop Alberto Taveira Corrêa, 75.
Following Monsignor Taveira’s resignation on 6 August, Akamine became Metropolitan Archbishop of Belém.
A supporter of Church-UN collaboration
The appointment comes just months ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) summit in Belém in November.
At today's press conference, Archbishop Akamine emphasised the significance of the Catholic Church's involvement in COP30, as reported by OLiberal.com.
"We also intend to ensure that COP is not just an event for top leaders, but that it can also encourage people and citizens to debate and reflect on climate change. Above all, we want to encourage people to change their personal habits," said Archbishop Akamine.
He emphasised that the Church is addressing the issue of climate change through the actions of the Vatican and the Amazonian dioceses.
Local churches will actively contribute to the debate and take concrete actions to raise awareness. "The Church's participation is at a high level because the Holy See is actually a member of COP. But, in addition, the dioceses — the particular churches here in the Amazon — are directly involved in the conference," he said.
COP 30 is the 30th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, a formal event under the Paris Agreement frame. The UNFCCC framework and conference agenda embed the so-called Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
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