BELÉM, Brazil /PNN/
World leaders convened Thursday in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belém in a bid to reaffirm global commitment to tackling climate change, even as the United States opted to skip the meeting and skepticism over stalled pledges deepened.
About 50 heads of state and government are attending the two-day summit, which precedes next week’s COP30 United Nations climate talks. Nearly every nation will be represented, but Washington is sending no delegation — with President Donald Trump dismissing climate science as a “con job.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are among those expected in Belém, while other major economies, including China and India, are represented by deputies or climate ministers.
The choice of Belém — a rainforest city of 1.4 million people, many living in low-income neighborhoods — has drawn criticism for its limited infrastructure and soaring hotel prices, which have complicated participation for smaller delegations and NGOs.
Despite last-minute construction and preparations, some residents expressed pride in hosting the event. “The COP is bringing Belém the recognition it deserves,” said Karol Farias, 34, a local makeup artist shopping at the city’s newly renovated Ver-o-Peso market.
Challenges and Contradictions
Brazil is not aiming for a sweeping climate agreement at COP30, but hopes to signal continued international support for climate action amid global tensions, wars, and economic strain.
The absence of the United States looms large over the gathering, as does Brazil’s recent decision to allow oil drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River — a move criticized by environmental groups.
Adding to the pressure, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres recently warned that the world is on track to miss the 1.5°C global warming limit set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Brazil’s government has scrambled to secure accommodations for lower-income delegations, even announcing that three cruise ships would host them free of charge.
‘Enough Talk, Time for Action’
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva framed the summit as a moment for accountability rather than new pledges.
“Enough talking — now we have to implement what we’ve already discussed,” Lula said earlier this week.
Brazil is pushing a proposal for a global fund that would reward tropical nations for protecting rainforests. It has also emphasized adaptation — a key issue for developing countries seeking resources to defend against rising seas and worsening climate disasters.
“This is not charity, but necessity,” said Evans Njewa, a Malawian diplomat and chair of the Least Developed Countries bloc.
Those nations are demanding a clear plan to increase climate finance to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, reflecting the estimated needs of the developing world.
Growing Urgency
Environmental advocates say the summit must set the tone for more ambitious commitments.
“Leaders need to deliver a clear mandate for COP30 — to close the gap and address the burning issues,” said Carolina Pasquali, executive director of Greenpeace Brazil, speaking from aboard the organization’s Rainbow Warrior ship docked in Belém’s port.
Despite progress, the world remains far from its climate goals. Even if current commitments are fully implemented, global temperatures are expected to rise by 2.5°C by the end of the century.
“For many of our countries, we won’t be able to adapt our way out of something that overshoots two degrees,” said Ilana Seid, a diplomat from Palau and chair of the Alliance of Small Island States.
Lula said Brazil intends to propose “a roadmap for reducing fossil fuels,” acknowledging that the conversation will be “difficult but necessary.”
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