The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) opened on Monday in Belém, Brazil, with world leaders and delegates urging renewed commitment to tackling the climate crisis and advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement.
At the opening ceremony, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev of Azerbaijan called on participants to uphold and expand on the commitments made at last year’s summit in Baku.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago expressed gratitude to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his appointment and stressed that the conference must focus on delivering tangible solutions.
“Despite recent setbacks, the living conditions of populations around the world can and must continue to improve,” Corrêa do Lago said, highlighting the importance of “science, education, and culture” as guiding principles. He also reaffirmed that multilateral cooperation remains essential in combating climate change.
Over 190 national and regional delegations are taking part in the two-week event, which runs through November 21. Key issues on the agenda include climate adaptation, just transition, and the implementation and assessment of the Paris Agreement’s global stocktake.
Local authorities said hosting COP30 in Belém—the gateway to the Amazon—symbolizes Brazil’s commitment to placing environmental protection and sustainable development at the heart of global climate policy.
