No one can escape a certain Christmas nostalgia. The meeting evokes laughter, tears and beautiful memories. But in a year marked by immense global challenges and a roller coaster pace, may the spirit of Christmas inspire us to look back with more compassion and seize the opportunity to celebrate the milestones of 2025.
Here I contribute six reasons why we should toast to 2025, or at least will help us get through its final days.
1) Democratic force
The conviction and imprisonment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and other leaders – including top military officials – for attempted coup d’état and violent abolition of the democratic rule of law was an important step not only for Brazilian democracy, but also for the fight against authoritarianism around the world.
Major international media outlets have highlighted the strength of Brazilian democracy in their editorials, inevitably drawing comparisons with Trump’s United States. American philosopher Jason Stanley said that Brazil is at the center of the global struggle against fascism; for Oliver Stuenkel, renowned political scientist, the Brazilian case is a guide to the challenges of democracy.
2) Reduction of poverty, inequality and hunger
Brazil recorded the lowest rates of poverty and inequality in 30 years in 2024, according to Ipea (Economic Institute of Applied Research), while household income per capita increased by 70%. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced that the country has once again fallen off the hunger map, with less than 2.5% of the population experiencing malnutrition between 2022 and 2024.
We are still one of the most unequal countries in the world and millions of people suffer from hunger in Brazil. But the figures prove that progress is possible.
3) Zero deforestation
It wasn’t even on the COP30 agenda. Driven by President Lula’s opening speech, the roadmap to zero global deforestation has reached the final draft document. This did not come to fruition, but gained the support of more than 90 countries and the commitment of the Brazilian presidency of the COP to lead the construction of the map until the 2026 conference, in Turkey.
It is the starting point for global alignment on tackling environmental crime and investing in the conservation of vital ecosystems, nature-based solutions and regenerative agriculture.
4) The South Winds
The Global South presented itself as the counterpoint to the Trump administration on the climate issue. As China leads the transition to clean energy, the subject definitely entered the BRICS agenda at the meeting held in Rio, under the bloc’s Brazilian presidency.
The new climate and environmental diplomacy is reimagined on the basis of a multipolar world, in which innovations come from populated countries more vulnerable to extreme events. For them, the challenges are the engine of new economies capable of rebalancing power relations between nations and between them and the planet.
5) From snake to horse
Speaking of China, according to the Chinese horoscope, based on a cycle of 12 years, each represented by an animal, 2025 is the year of the snake – cunning, strategic, mysterious. But in the balance of yin and yang, the following year is the year of the horse. Action, energy, freedom, always forward, without weakening, may this horse take us to 2026. And may it be light.
6) The secret agent
To conclude, let us celebrate Brazilian cinema, once again representing and signifying who we are, and once again at the top of the international awards season and domestic box office with The Secret Agent. It’s good to remember that we are still here.
A Merry Christmas.
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