The Amazonian city of Belém , capital of the state of Pará in northern Brazil, is preparing to host the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) from November 10 to 21, 2025.

This major event will bring together representatives from nearly 150 countries, all committed to respecting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 (the 1997 commitment refers to Kyoto). Belém, located on the Amazon estuary, is an industrial port and a crucial gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

A Central Issue: The Implementation of the Paris Agreement

The main objective of COP 30 is to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement , adopted at COP 21 in 2015. This international treaty, signed by 196 parties, aims to keep the increase in global average temperature "well below 2°C" compared to pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C .

In 2025, nations will have to submit the third set of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) , following those of 2015 and 2020. These NDCs are crucial national plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which must be updated every five years.

Brazil's Priorities, Host Country

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , hopes that this COP will be an opportunity to highlight fundamental themes:

1. Climate justice for the most vulnerable nations.
2. A just and inclusive ecological transition .
3. Social inclusion and respect for indigenous knowledge .
4. Climate finance for developing countries.

The Conference will, however, take place in a tense geopolitical and economic context that has often overshadowed environmental concerns.

Functioning and Importance of the COP

The term COP stands for Conference of the Parties . Although other COPs exist (on biodiversity and combating desertification, held every two years), the one on climate change receives the most media attention and takes place annually . It is the forum where countries negotiate international agreements and assess compliance with commitments made.

More than 50,000 participants are expected in Belém. Before the official opening, the Leaders' Summit (November 6 and 7) has already brought together representatives from 143 countries, including 57 heads of state and government, to give political impetus to the negotiations. Beyond the official negotiations, the COP is a platform for:

1. To present innovations .
2. Sharing expertise .
3. Raising awareness of climate-related issues .

Associations, civil society, organizations and students are also actively participating in this global event.