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.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the transition by handing over the ceremonial gavel of the presidency to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

India has had the presidency of the G20 since Dec. 1, when it took over from Indonesia, and will continue to hold the position until Nov. 30.

During the two-day summit, the bloc adopted a consensus declaration that made commitments on several issues, including that of food and energy security, climate change and global debt vulnerabilities.

Modi, on Sunday, also proposed a “virtual summit” of the grouping at the end of November to assess the status of the suggestions and proposals put forth by members and determine “how their progress can be accelerated”.

“In that session, we can review the topics decided during this summit,” Modi said, adding that details would be shared with members.

This post gained immense popularity, amassing an impressive 2.3 million views as of Tuesday. The post sheds light on the countries that experienced the greatest increase in prosperity as well as those that encountered substantial losses in their financial markets.

Brazil, known as the largest economy in Latin America, topped the list of gainers with an extraordinary surge in prosperity amounting to $1.1 trillion. A number of elements, including economic changes, rosy market conditions, and an influx of foreign investment, are responsible for this extraordinary rise. The Brazilian government’s diligent efforts to stimulate the economy and attract business investments have yielded fruitful results, propelling the country to the forefront of financial prosperity.

India closely followed Brazil, experiencing a significant upswing in prosperity with an increase of $0.675 trillion. India’s strong economic growth, which is being fueled by industries like information technology, manufacturing, and services, is responsible for this rise in income. The country’s concerted focus on digital transformation and initiatives to improve the business environment have successfully attracted substantial investments, consequently enhancing its financial prosperity.

Mexico and Russia were also notable gainers in terms of financial prosperity. Mexico witnessed a substantial increase of $0.655 trillion, propelled by a favorable business climate and strong export performance. Russia, on the other hand, experienced a rise of $0.6 trillion, benefiting from a rebound in oil prices and increased government spending on infrastructure projects.

Conversely, several major economies faced significant losses in their financial markets during the same period. Australia suffered a staggering downturn of $1 trillion primarily due to disruptions in its mining and commodity sectors. Canada closely followed with a loss of $1.2 trillion, influenced by declining oil prices and the impact of global trade tensions.

China, as the world’s second-largest economy, recorded a substantial loss of $1.5 trillion. A number of causes, including as ongoing trade tensions with the United States, harsher regulations imposed on technology companies, and a slowdown in economic growth, all had a role in this fall. Despite these difficulties, China continues to be a major player in the world economy.

Japan, the third-largest economy globally, encountered a significant setback with a loss of $2.5 trillion. The Japanese economy, heavily reliant on exports, suffered from sluggish global demand and domestic challenges. A number of additional factors, including an aging population and high debt levels, added to the nation’s financial problems.

The United States, being the world’s largest economy, experienced the most substantial financial losses among the countries mentioned, with a staggering decline of $5.9 trillion in prosperity. The United States faced numerous challenges, including increased market volatility, trade tensions, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s crucial to remember that the American economy is still strong and has room to grow in the future.

These patterns of financial gains and losses will definitely influence the plans and policies of nations looking to strengthen their economic stability and promote growth in the upcoming years as the global economic environment changes.

His comments point to a divergence of vision as leaders of the bloc – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – arrived in Johannesburg for a summit that will weigh expanding the group as some members push to forge it into a counterweight to the West.

Heightened global tensions provoked by the Ukraine war and Beijing’s growing rivalry with the United States have pushed China and Russia – whose President Vladimir Putin will attend the meeting virtually – to seek to strengthen the BRICS bloc.

Their vision of an expanded BRICS capable of rivaling U.S. and European global dominance has, however, been met with skepticism by some members. And the outcome of the debate over enlargement could determine the future of a bloc long criticised for a lack of cohesion.

“We do not want to be a counterpoint to the G7, G20 or the United States,” Brazil’s Lula said on Tuesday during a social media broadcast from Johannesburg. “We just want to organise ourselves.”

Summit host South Africa welcomed China’s Xi Jinping, the leading proponent of enlarging BRICS, for a state visit on Tuesday morning ahead of meetings with the grouping’s other leaders planned for later in the day.

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“I am confident that the upcoming summit will be an important milestone in the development of the BRICS mechanism,” Xi said shortly after his arrival in South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during a bilateral meeting with Xi that their two countries had “similar views” regarding expansion.

“We share your view, President Xi, that BRICS is a vitally important forum which plays an important role in the reform of global governance and in the promotion of multilateralism and cooperation throughout the world,” he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also attending the Aug. 22 to 24 summit.

Putin, who is wanted under an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, will not travel to South Africa.

[1/9]Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a ministerial meeting to celebrate the first 100 days of his government at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights

Beyond the enlargement question, boosting the use of member states’ local currencies is also on the summit agenda. South African organisers, however, say there will be no discussions of a BRICS currency, an idea floated by Brazil earlier this year as an alternative to dollar-dependence.

POINT OF CONTENTION

BRICS remains a disparate group, ranging from China, the world’s second biggest economy now grappling with a slowdown, to South Africa, an economic minnow facing a power crisis that’s led to daily blackouts.

Russia is being hammered by sanctions over its war in Ukraine is keen to show the West it still has friends.

India, however, has increasingly reached out to the West, as has Brazil under its new leader.

Two members – India and China – have periodically clashed along their disputed border, adding to the challenge of decision-making in a group that relies on consensus.

Expansion has long been a goal of China, which hopes that broader membership will lend clout to a grouping already home to some 40% of the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP.

The leaders will hold a mini-retreat and dinner on Tuesday evening where they are likely to discuss a framework and criteria for admitting new countries.

Russia is keen to bring in new members.

India, which is wary of Chinese dominance and has warned against rushing expansion, has “positive intent and an open mind”, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Monday. Brazil, meanwhile, is concerned that expanding BRICS will dilute its influence, though Lula reiterated on Tuesday his desire to see neighbour Argentina join the bloc.

While a potential BRICS enlargement remains up in the air, the grouping’s pledge to become a champion of the developing world and offer an alternative to a world order dominated by wealthy Western nations is already finding resonance.

Over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials. Of them, nearly two dozen have formally asked to be admitted, with some expected to send delegations to Johannesburg.

The intention to set up the JV had been communicated in October 2022. BRF’s stake in the new company will be 70% and HPDC will have 30%, the Brazilian firm said.

The JV’s announcement underscores BRF’s push to move from a purely exporter role to a local supplier of meat products in the country.

Saudi Arabia imported an annual average of 564,476 metric tons of Brazilian chicken products in the decade ended in 2022, according to data compiled by the Arab-Brazil Chamber of Commerce. Last year, however, it bought a smaller 340,000 metric tons, ranking fourth among Brazil’s top chicken destinations behind the United Arab Emirates, Japan and China.

BRF said the main goal of the JV will be developing the halal meat industry in the region, referring to food that must be produced according to Muslim dietary requirements.

The JV’s formalization comes days after SALIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PIF, acquired a 10.7% stake in BRF through a follow-on share offering as part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term goal to secure food security for the Kingdom.

As part of the JV, BRF said it will set up a “Halal Business Headquarters, a Halal Food Innovation Center and a Center of Excellence” at a location yet to be determined.

It did not elaborate on how much the JV intends to invest in such an endeavor.

BRF has sold products in the Middle East for over 50 years. Starting in 2009, it set up its own distribution network in Saudi Arabia, where it also acquired a food processing unit three years ago.

Ma’aden, through Manara, its joint venture established with the Public Investment Fund, on Thursday signed a binding agreement to acquire the 10% stake in Vale Base Metals, based on an enterprise value of $26 billion.

“Manara’s investment into Vale will play a key role in helping it expand the production of copper and nickel across its asset portfolio, which are critical to the development of new technologies that will benefit the global energy transition,” the company statement said.

The transaction, which will be financed by Ma’aden’s own resources, is subject to regulatory approvals and expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.