By Ana Cláudia Leocádio – From Cenarium
BRASÍLIA (DF) – Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, President of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), assured that local actors from the Amazon civil society will be heard during the preparatory phase of the event, which will take place in Belém this November.
Since its announcement, COP30 has faced criticism for allegedly excluding key regional stakeholders, such as Indigenous peoples, riverine communities, Quilombolas, and academic and scientific institutions, from the discussions.
The diplomat recalled how the 1992 Climate Conference held in Rio de Janeiro, known as Rio-92, had a significant impact on how Brazilians perceive climate change, the environment, and biodiversity.
“There is also a great deal of expectation because Brazil has a tradition, and this government has a tradition, of embracing civil society and listening to it. So, during this preparatory period, we will have extensive dialogue with civil society because their involvement in the process is essential. Just like in Rio-92, it is the population that must believe in this agenda and contribute to its success”, stated the COP President in Brazil.
He further emphasized that COP has a critical national dimension in organizing the event. “There is an extremely important national dimension, and given President Lula’s decision to hold COP in the Amazon, specifically in Belém, it is essential to listen to the people who live alongside this biome, which remains a mystery to most of the world. In fact, it is a mystery to many Brazilians. Their participation is absolutely essential”, Lago affirmed.
Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement — crucial for countries to commit to measures mitigating the effects of climate change — Lago acknowledged that this absence will have “a significant impact on COP30 preparations” as they evaluate how to address the departure of such an influential country.
The ambassador expressed optimism that most COP participants, where decisions are made by consensus, have already defended their national interests in this process and will now work toward a common goal: controlling the consequences of climate change.
“I believe countries may have different reasons for participating in COP, but I trust that all nations involved in the Paris Agreement understand the importance of remaining part of this process”, he said.
Agenda Under Development
Regarding the agenda for the Belém meeting, the COP30 President explained that it is still under development, although certain mandates have already been predetermined by the countries negotiating during the previous 29 COPs. One of these is climate financing, discussed in Baku, Azerbaijan, and expected to continue under Brazil’s leadership to “strengthen the financial resources available to combat climate change.” A final amount that meets current global needs remains to be agreed upon.
“There are also several other topics, such as adaptation, which in Brazil this year became a widely understood and traumatic issue, especially following the events in Porto Alegre (RS). Many of these topics have already been pre-established for negotiation during COP”, the ambassador said.
Another highlighted topic is the so-called “action agenda” at COP, a parallel process where non-negotiating actors — as only official country delegations are permitted to negotiate — can also address certain issues. This action agenda will set priorities and could include states, cities, businesses, and civil society. “All of this is being developed, but we will discuss it in more detail soon”, Lago concluded.
Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves
