The UN validates Brazilian actions and plans for COP30

The mission of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat has validated Brasil’s plans for COP30 in Amazônia. On Friday, January 24, the experts delivered preliminary recommendations for actions to improve infrastructure, health services, transportation, public safety and accommodation that are being implemented and planned for the event. The experts' technical analyses will be part of a report that will be consolidated over the next few days.

Miriam Belchior, executive secretary of the Federal Government's Office of the Chief of Staff [Casa Civil], highlighted a comment by the mission's technicians: that this is the first time in the history of the COPs that the plans for the Conference's facilities have been approved ten months in advance. Belchior pointed out that the results are promising, as the UN's recommendations show that the work is going in the "right direction". "We know all the complexities of holding a COP30, but also the fundamental symbolism of holding it here in Belém," said Belchior.

The president of COP30 Amazônia, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, highlighted the symbolism of starting his journey at the head of the event in Belém, the host city for the conference in 2025. The ambassador also reiterated his enthusiasm for the joint work being carried out to ensure its success.

"We see a very good union between the way Pará is embracing this COP and the Brazilian government's commitment to holding broad consultations with different sectors of society. We want to hold a COP that really has an impact in this challenging global context," Corrêa do Lago emphasized.

Effective strategies

By videoconference, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), stressed Brasil’s commitment to organizing the conference, and its commitment to solving logistical challenges. "A COP is a huge responsibility for any country, and there are many practical and logistical challenges to hosting such a complex event. This is a moment when the location [of the next conference] will be well and truly in the global spotlight," he said.

Stiell also highlighted the benefits and challenges that the event will bring to the city of Belém and to Brasil itself — but stressed that the success of the event depends on effective strategies. "Climate events bring great benefits to host cities and communities, including an influx of economic activity and jobs. However, they also present complex challenges that require careful attention," he explained, pointing out that Brasil, known for its innovative solutions, is fully capable of tackling these issues.

The Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Noura Hamladji praised the progress made by Brasil in preparing for COP30 Amazônia, observed during her technical mission to Belém this week.

"We have been highly impressed with the progress [of the work] since October 2023. This progress reflects Brasil's commitment to overcoming the logistical and political challenges of hosting such a complex event," said Noura. The UN expert also highlighted the symbolism of holding the conference in the Amazon, a region she described as 'a beacon of hope and a powerful symbol for the world.'"

Joint work between governments

To guarantee the logistics needed to host COP30 Amazônia in November, the federal, state and municipal governments have concentrated their efforts to ensure that investments in infrastructure are a legacy for the city's population. For the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, the integration of work between the different levels of public management is fundamental to holding the event.

Among the advances presented, Helder highlighted the joint planning that has been carried out over the last two years, with diagnoses, solutions and concrete actions to prepare the city for the conference. "We are working hard so that, by September this year, all the works and equipment will be ready and delivered to the population, guaranteeing a more robust Belém, with a strengthened economy and aligned with its environmental vocation," he said. He also pointed out that some of the works have already been delivered.

Guaranteed accommodation

Regarding the high accommodation prices that are being reported in Belém because of the event, these are common situations in all the cities hosting the conference. Miriam Belchior's, the executive secretary of Brasil’s Office of the Chief of Staff, believes that the market should settle down as the hosting plans being implemented by governments progress.

"The number of participants that are expected, based on previous COPs, is 50,000 participants over the 15 days. At the Baku COP, for example, the number of participants in a single day was 28,000. Therefore, the Pará state government will have enough beds and a reserve so that we can hold this great event," assured Hana Ghassan, Pará's deputy governor.