Brazil is set to host the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) from November 10 to 21 in the Amazonian city of Belém, facing a major challenge: uniting the world around continued climate action despite mounting global crises — including the withdrawal of the United States.
اضافة اعلان
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva insisted on holding the summit in Belém, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, describing it as an essential symbol of the climate struggle. COP30 will bring together negotiators, experts, and activists — about 50,000 participants — to assess global progress and chart next steps.
Lula hopes to gather dozens of world leaders a few days before the official opening (on November 6–7) to ease logistical pressure on the city. So far, only a few heads of state, such as those from Colombia and South Africa, have confirmed attendance, while others remain undecided amid geopolitical and economic turbulence. Prince William will represent King Charles III, while the Austrian President has declined to attend due to soaring hotel costs.
This sharp increase in prices threatens to limit the participation of NGOs and delegations from poorer countries — an issue that could overshadow the core of the negotiations. Nations including Gambia, Cape Verde, and even Japan told AFP they would likely scale back their delegations.
An informal ministerial meeting will be held in Brasília on October 13–14 to conduct a final review of preparations.
Lula acknowledged Belém’s infrastructure challenges but said, “We must show the world the reality of the Amazon.” He even joked that he plans to “sleep on a boat in a hammock.”
No “Big Headlines” Expected
This year’s conference comes after the two hottest years on record, marked by extreme heatwaves and deadly storms. However, unlike recent summits that produced major agreements on fossil fuels and financing, experts warn against expecting “headline-grabbing breakthroughs.”
According to Marta Torres-Ganfous from the IDDRI research center, COP30 will likely focus on implementing existing commitments rather than introducing new ones.
Brazil’s presidency wants to demonstrate that multilateral cooperation remains alive despite challenges such as the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, ongoing trade wars, and the rise of climate-skeptic parties.
Lula, who is expected to seek re-election next year, also aims to reaffirm “Brazil’s return to the global stage,” following its hosting of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2024 and the BRICS Summit earlier this year.
Trump Invited
COP30 Director-General Ana Toni told AFP that the summit “reflects the world’s geopolitical tensions.” Lula — who has slowed deforestation but supports oil exploration off the Amazon coast — has promised what he calls a “COP of truth.”
However, the European Union, divided internally, has failed to finalize its 2035 climate targets, while China maintains minimal goals. The U.S. is not expected to send an official delegation, though Lula said he personally urged Donald Trump to attend, telling him, “It’s important you come to Brazil — to see the Amazon the world loves.”
Consensus Required
Ilana Seid, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, said a new synthesis report on global climate plans, due shortly before COP30, will likely reveal a “lack of ambition” in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
She stressed that the conference “must deliver a response”, though any decision will need the unanimous consent of nearly 200 countries, as is the rule in all UN climate summits.
(AFP)
