Introduction

From November 10 to 21, 2025, the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará in Brazil, will host the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30). This gathering, considered one of the most significant of the past decade, will bring together political leaders, civil society representatives, scientists, entrepreneurs, and activists from around the world with the aim of accelerating the implementation of climate commitments made at previous conferences and outlining concrete strategies to confront the environmental crisis threatening planetary stability.

The choice of Belém as the host city for COP30 is far from symbolic. Located in the Amazon region, the city represents the heart of one of the most vital ecosystems for global climate regulation. By bringing the conference to the Amazon, Brazil seeks to place the tropical forest at the center of the political and economic decisions that will shape humanity’s future.

Context and Expectations

COP30 will take place at a particularly critical moment. The two years leading up to the event have been marked by record-breaking temperatures, an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and growing pressure on natural and social systems. The international community arrives in Belém with the awareness that time to act is running out and that the 2020s will be decisive in preventing climate collapse.

Among the main objectives of the conference are:

• The revision of national climate plans (NDCs), aiming to align them with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
• The mobilization of climate finance, with an ambitious target of US$1.3 trillion annually by 2035.
• The approval of adaptation indicators to assess the effectiveness of implemented policies.
• The promotion of a just energy transition, focusing on tripling renewable energy capacity and gradually reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Structure and Themes of the Conference

COP30 is organized around Thematic Days, each dedicated to strategic areas of climate action. This approach will allow for more effective articulation between technical debates, diplomatic negotiations, and civil society proposals.

1. Adaptation, Cities, and Infrastructure

In the early days, participants will discuss ways to make cities more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Projects on green infrastructure, water management systems, and sustainable urban planning will be presented. Adaptation is no longer seen as a passive response but as part of proactive territorial planning strategies.

2. Health, Education, and Climate Justice

The interconnection between climate and health will be widely debated, with emphasis on the effects of heatwaves, air pollution, and food insecurity. Environmental education is highlighted as an essential tool for the cultural transformation needed for ecological transition. Climate justice emerges as a cross-cutting axis, demanding that public policies address historical inequalities and the rights of the most vulnerable populations.

3. Energy, Industry, and Transport

This segment focuses on decarbonizing productive sectors. Solutions such as green hydrogen, transport electrification, energy efficiency, and carbon markets will be discussed. The energy transition will be presented as an opportunity for innovation, job creation, and economic redistribution.

4. Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity

The Amazon is at the center of attention. Brazil has launched a forest preservation fund with the potential to mobilize US$4 billion annually, benefiting countries with large tropical forest areas. Biodiversity will be treated as vital infrastructure, and the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples will be valued as an integral part of climate solutions.

Negotiations and Commitments

During the conference, UNFCCC member states will present updates to their national commitments. Some countries will announce more ambitious carbon neutrality targets, while others will strengthen their adaptation plans. The debate on climate finance will be particularly intense, with emphasis on the “loss and damage” fund aimed at supporting countries affected by climate disasters.

The Brazilian presidency of COP30, led by Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, will seek to bring a more pragmatic pace to the negotiations, prioritizing implementation over rhetoric. Thirty Key Implementation Objectives will be approved to serve as reference points for future evaluation cycles.

Civil Society Participation

COP30 will be distinguished by the strong presence of civil society. Non-governmental organizations, youth movements, traditional communities, and private sector representatives will actively participate in the debates, proposing concrete solutions and demanding greater political ambition.

The Blue and Green Zones will function as complementary spaces: the former dedicated to formal negotiations, and the latter to experience sharing, innovation, and intercultural dialogue. The diversity of voices and perspectives will be one of the highlights of the conference, reinforcing the idea that climate action must be inclusive and collaborative.

Challenges and Outlook

Despite the progress, COP30 makes it clear that the challenges are immense. Implementing commitments depends on political will, technical capacity, and adequate financing. The ecological transition requires profound changes in economic models, consumption patterns, and power structures.

Among the main challenges are:

• Effective monitoring of commitments made, with clear indicators and accountability mechanisms.
• Coordination between levels of government, ensuring that national policies translate into local actions.
• Integration of science and traditional knowledge, promoting solutions adapted to specific realities.
• Mobilization of financial resources, especially for developing countries.

Conclusion

COP30 in Belém represents a turning point in the fight against climate change. By placing the Amazon at the center of global decisions, the conference reaffirms the urgency of protecting vital ecosystems and promoting a just and inclusive transition. More than a diplomatic meeting, it is a call to concrete action, international solidarity, and political courage.

The future will depend on our collective ability to turn commitments into reality, to reconcile development with sustainability, and to recognize that the climate crisis is, above all, a matter of justice. Belém is the stage where the world looks in the mirror—and now must decide whether it has the courage to change.

COP31 Outlook

COP31, scheduled for 2026, does not yet have an officially defined location or date. The race to host the event is between Australia and Turkey, and the decision may be announced during COP30 in Belém.

Current Status of COP31

• Expected Year: 2026
• Regional Group Responsible for Selection: Western Europe and Others (WEOG)
• Competing Bids:

1. Australia, proposing a conference in partnership with Pacific nations, focusing on energy transition and the challenges faced by island states.
2. Turkey, proposing the city of Antalya, highlighting its strategic location between Europe and Asia and its experience in hosting international events.

Diplomatic Impasse

• The selection requires unanimous consensus among the 28 countries in the WEOG group, which has not yet been achieved.
• The UN, through Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, has urged a swift decision, warning that delays compromise logistical and diplomatic preparations for the conference.
• The host city may be defined during or immediately after COP30 in Belém, if member countries reach an agreement.
• Australia claims to have the support of most WEOG members, but Turkey remains firm in its candidacy.

Expectations

• The host city may be defined during or immediately after COP30 in Belém, if member countries reach an agreement.
• Australia claims to have the support of most WEOG members, but Turkey remains firm in its candidacy.