UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell spoke at the closing of the COP30 plenaries in Belém today.
Some notable quotes include:
“We knew this COP would take place in stormy political waters. Denial, division and geopolitics has dealt international cooperation some heavy blows this year.
But friends. COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a livable planet, with a firm resolve to keep 1.5C within reach.
I’m not saying we’re winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back. Here in Belem, nations chose solidarity, science, and economic common sense.”
The COP30 closing plenaries are now scheduled to start from 12:00 p.m. today.
The closing plenaries will take place in Plenary Amazonas and will be livestreamed here.
New text for the Belém Political Package from the COP30 Presidency is now available here: https://unfccc.int/cop30/belem-political-package
New text for the Belém Political Package from the COP30 Presidency is expected to be available soon via the link below.
https://unfccc.int/cop30/belem-political-package
All official COP documents are posted here as promptly as possible.
The COP30 closing plenaries are scheduled to start from 11:00 a.m. this morning (Saturday 22 November).
The closing plenaries will take place in Plenary Amazonas and will be livestreamed here.
The Outcomes Report on the Global Climate Action Agenda at COP30 has just been published this evening in Belém. You can find the report at this link.
The COP29 and COP30 Presidencies and the Climate High-Level Champions, Nigar Arpadarai and Dan Ioschpe, worked hand-in-hand to deliver a COP30 of implementation. Over the past two weeks, COP30 has shown how climate action is accelerating across key systems, from energy and transport to food and health, from industry and finance, to land, ocean, and education, with clear benefits to people and nature.
All levels of governments, businesses, financial institutions, and civil society, including Indigenous Peoples, have used this COP to present work already underway, show how pledges and plans are turning into delivery, and how implementation can be accelerated by working together.
To help accelerate delivery beyond COP30, the Climate High-Level Champions have released a collaborative Five-Year Vision for the Global Climate Action Agenda. Focused on practical implementation, it provides continuity and strengthens transparency through the NAZCA portal.
An informal stock-take plenary will be convened at approximately 10:30 a.m. Belém time (GMT -3) today for the Presidency to update Parties on the status of the negotiations. The closing plenaries for adoption of draft decisions will be convened in the evening.
The COP30 Presidency has released new draft texts of the Belém Political Package, which are available on our website via the link below.
An informal stock-take plenary will be convened at approximately 10:00 a.m. Belém time (GMT -3) today for the Presidency to update Parties on the status of the negotiations. The closing plenaries for adoption of draft decisions will be convened in the evening.
Following a safety assessment, the COP30 site has been inspected and deemed safe by the Fire Department.
Brazilian authorities have restored operating conditions at the conference venue, obtained the Fire Department’s operating permit, and returned the area to the UNFCCC. The Blue Zone has been reinstated and resumed operations at 8:40 PM today.
The area affected by the incident will remain isolated until the conclusion of the conference.
We continue to closely monitor the condition of all individuals who required medical attention and remain in coordination with health services.
There will be no plenary activity this evening. Tomorrow’s plenary sessions will be open to Parties, Observers and Media, and will be streamed online.
We appreciate the cooperation, patience, and understanding of all participants. We still have substantial work ahead, and we trust that delegates will return to the negotiations in a spirit of solidarity and determination to ensure a successful outcome for this COP.
The COP30 Presidency and the secretariat are currently working together closely to finalize a plan for the resumption of COP activities, which will be focused on negotiations, once the venue has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed fully safe by fire and health authorities.
We currently anticipate that any meetings that may be able to take place tonight, subject to full health and safety assessments, would be to continue and complete consultations with Groups that were interrupted by the fire.
We do not anticipate any activity in the plenary tonight, and will of course ensure that activity in the plenary tomorrow is open to all Parties and Observers, and is also live-streamed.
We anticipate sharing more information around 8:00 PM this evening.
We very much appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all participants as we prioritize the safety of everyone involved.
We still have much work ahead, and we hope all Parties will join in that work in a spirit of solidarity and determination to deliver a successful COP outcome.
Please find below a joint media statement from the COP30 Presidency and UN Climate Change, in English and Portuguese.
“Earlier today, a fire broke out in the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue in Belém. The fire department and UN security officers responded swiftly, and the fire was controlled in approximately six minutes. People were evacuated safely.
13 individuals were treated on site for smoke inhalation. Their condition is being monitored, and appropriate medical support has been provided.
As a precaution, the Brazilian Government and the UNFCCC have jointly decided to temporarily close the Blue Zone while the fire department carries out a comprehensive safety assessment.
Delegates are requested to await further official communication, which will be issued at 8:00 PM this evening, once the venue has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed fully safe.
We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all participants as we prioritize the safety of everyone involved.
Please note that the Green Zone remains open and activities continue as scheduled.”
.....
Por favor veja abaixo um comunicado conjunto da Presidência da COP30 e a UNFCCC:
“Esta tarde, um incêndio ocorreu na Zona Azul da COP30 em Belém. O Corpo de Bombeiros e os agentes de segurança da ONU responderam rapidamente, e o fogo foi controlado em aproximadamente seis minutos. As pessoas foram evacuadas com segurança.
Treze indivíduos foram atendidos no local por inalação de fumaça. Seus estados de saúde seguem sendo monitorados e o suporte médico apropriado foi fornecido.
Como medida de precaução, o Governo Brasileiro e a UNFCCC decidiram, conjuntamente, fechar temporariamente a Zona Azul enquanto o Corpo de Bombeiros realiza uma avaliação completa de segurança.
Solicita-se aos delegados que aguardem uma nova comunicação oficial, que será divulgada às 20h desta noite, após a conclusão da avaliação e a plena garantia de segurança no local.
Agradecemos a cooperação e compreensão de todos os participantes, enquanto priorizamos a segurança de todos os envolvidos.
Informamos que a Zona Verde permanece aberta e as atividades continuam conforme programado.”
Forests are special.
They are essential for our planet’s health and resilience: storing carbon, buffering shocks, protecting biodiversity, reinforcing food security, and strengthening community resilience.
Protected and restored forests and other ecosystems are our climate superpower.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will take part in a press conference at COP30 at 11 a.m. Belém time this morning in press conference room 1.
It will be open to members of the media and also livestreamed. Simultaneous translation will be available in English and Portuguese.
Speaking at COP30 this afternoon, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the Climate Action Agenda is showing global cooperation at work.
“COP30 has racked up an impressive scorecard of real-world climate actions that will also mean stronger economies, more jobs and better lives for many millions,” said Stiell.
He stressed that the Climate Action Agenda is not a nice-to-have on the side. It is mission critical, and a key part of the Paris Agreement.
“I have said many times that, in this new era, we must strive to bring the formal COP process closer to the real economy, for faster implementation, and to spread the vast benefits to billions more people,” he said.
UN Climate Change tracks and recognizes climate action through its NAZCA Portal (also known as the Global Climate Action Portal), an online platform where commitments and actions by all stakeholders around the globe are registered.
Join our event at COP30 today to learn about the plans to redevelop the NAZCA portal, as well as our new engagement strategy to convene stakeholders across multiple channels. The newly established NAZCA Network aims to bring climate action information and analysis directly to stakeholders – giving recognition to ambition and implementation – while also leveraging their feedback to inform continuous enhancements to the public-facing portal.
Date: Wednesday 19 November
Time: 16:00h - 17:30h BRT/UTC-3
Location: Special event room - Parana, Area C
Around the world, communities are already living with the realities of climate change. Yet in every region, these same communities are leading the way with innovative, locally driven solutions that protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.
Since the start of COP30, the Global Climate Action (GCA) Agenda has convened a diverse programme of events that showcased collective ambition, practical solutions, and partnerships that are already driving change.
Today’s high-level closing event will spotlight key outcomes and announcements from across the two weeks, highlighting how different actors are contributing to global climate goals in ways that are effective, inclusive and fair. All COP30 participants are welcome to join in person or online.
Date: Wednesday 19 November
Time: 15:00h - 16:30h BRT/UTC-3
Location: Plenary - Tocantins, Area D
The insights, wisdom and leadership of Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies is inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future.
Hear some diverse voices at COP30 in our short summary video.
Ministers, climate leaders and partners will gather at COP 30 in Belém for a High-Level Event on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) this afternoon.
The event will celebrate the growing number of countries that have completed and shared their NAPs and take stock of how these plans are driving real-world resilience. As of 11 November 2025, 144 countries had launched their NAP process, with 68 developing countries and 13 developed countries submitting their NAPs to the UNFCCC.
NAPs are the primary instrument for adaptation and resilience building under the UNFCCC. They help countries identify vulnerabilities, set priorities and chart a course to protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems from escalating climate impacts.
Date: Tuesday 18 November
Time: 16:30 - 18:00 (BRT)
Location: Meeting Room 20
Taking place at COP30 today, the Third Annual High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition comes at a pivotal moment. Building on the work launched under the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme, the roundtable will be a space for ministers to step back, assess progress and chart political direction for the next phase of implementation.
Through a focused exchange of views, information and ideas, ministers will look at what has been achieved so far under the UAE just transition work programme, and what more is needed to turn commitments into concrete outcomes for workers, communities and economies – leaving no one behind.
Date: Tuesday 18 November
Time: 13:00h - 17:00h BRT/UTC-3
Location: Plenary - Tocantins, Area D
The multi-part Youth Forum, which took place over several days at COP30, will hold its closing event this morning, outlining what the forum achieved and why it matters for the UN climate negotiations.
Youth representatives will summarize the forum’s sessions and key outcomes, drawing out the main messages, priorities and proposals that have emerged from their work in 2025.
You can find detailed agenda with a list of speakers and topics here.
Date: Tuesday 18 November
Time: 10:00 to 13:00 BRT/UTC-3
Location: Plenary - Tocantins, Area D
This hands-on workshop at COP30 invites you to learn alongside Verified Champions – content creators who are reaching millions with climate stories rooted in culture and community. We’ll explore how to spot climate stories in cultural moments, structure content that resonates, and lead with community benefits.
Date: Tuesday 18 November
Time: 9:30 to 10:30 BRT/UTC-3
Location: Special event room - Parana, Area C
Social media
- Stay up to date by following UN Climate Change on all major social media platforms, in English, French, Spanish and Russian.
- Join our newly launched WhatsApp channel for updates, announcements and stories at COP30, available in English, French, Spanish and Russian.
Photos
- A daily curation of some of the best photography captured by UN Climate Change is here. Click the date button on the landing page to choose your date. An example is here.
- Find high-resolution photography of many more key COP moments in real-time via our official Flickr.
- All photos are free to use. Find attribution information by clicking on each image.
Webcast
- Our conference homepage has livestreams for Plenary Amazonas, Press Conference Room 1 and Global Climate Action.
- Open plenary meetings and press conferences have public webcast (live and on-demand) which are available on the COP 30 schedule page.
Documents
- Official COP documents are posted here as soon as available. You can use our new AskUNFCCC AI-powered bot to help find documents (pink pop-up, bottom right).
Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the high-level segment at COP30 this morning, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell commended the spirit of goodwill throughout week one – reflecting a widespread conviction that the Paris Agreement is humanity's only way to survive this global climate crisis, and to spread the vast benefits of climate action to all nations.
“We are all aware of the headwinds,” he said. “But I also sense a deep awareness of what's at stake, and the need to show climate cooperation standing firm in a fractured world. I sense a real determination to build on the major progress of recent COPs, and show – once again – that climate cooperation is working to deliver real progress, though needs to work faster and fairer.”
Tune in starting at 10 a.m. Belém time (GMT -3) to watch the opening of the high-level segment of COP30 live.
Speakers and sequence to include (subject to change):
- Video from the Federative Republic of Brazil
- Statement by H.E. Mr. André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, President COP 30/CMP 20/CMA 7
- Statement by Mr. Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary
- Statement by Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly
- Statement by H.E. Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Written statements will be made available on this page as available.
A warm welcome to all in Belém and to those following COP30 from many other places around the world! Week two gets underway today, with delegates working overtime as we head toward the final stretch.
The opening of the high-level segment at COP30 is expected to start at around 10:00 a.m. Belém time (GMT -3) today. A schedule of other events taking place throughout the day is available here.
Please note that the COP30 venue will be closed on Sunday 16 November. Registration will be closed and there will be no planned activities in the Blue Zone.
We'll be back in action on Monday, 17 November.
Ever spent more time searching our website for a document than actually reading it? Been there, done that! That’s why the UN Climate Change secretariat has been quietly working on a little helper – AskUNFCCC, our new AI-powered search bot (the pink pop-up on the bottom right corner of this page).
First tested during the June Climate Meetings, AskUNFCCC proved to be a helpful assistant for participants trying to track down agendas, schedules, and other key documents After a successful pilot, an upgraded version has made its official debut at COP30 in Belém.
Think of AskUNFCCC as your friendly digital co-pilot – ready to find what you need from the UNFCCC website, faster than you can say “it is so decided.”
COP30 delegates have already fed more than 3,000 questions to AskUNFCCC – mostly about documents, events, and the venue but with a few personal questions thrown in too (yes, our bot can even help you figure out how to work up the courage to talk to your COP crush).
Happy searching!
At COP29 in Baku, governments took a major step forward in the global response to climate change. The Baku Finance Goal, the decision on the new collective quantified goal on climate finance, called on all actors to work together to enable the scaling up of financing to developing country Parties for climate action from all public and private sources to at least USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035.
To help turn this ambition into reality, Parties launched the Baku to Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion.
This event will convene key representatives from both COP29 and COP30 Presidencies to present the outcome of their work on the Roadmap and the next steps in 2026.
Date: Saturday 15 November
Time: 14:30 to 16:00 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Special event room - Parnaiba, Area C
Climate finance is in the spotlight at COP30 today, as delegates gather for the third High-Level Ministerial Dialogue (HLMD) on climate finance under the Paris Agreement.
Speaking at the opening of the Dialogue, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell didn’t mince words.
“Climate finance is the lifeblood of climate action,” he said. “It is what turns plans into progress, and ambition into implementation.”
Set up by governments in 2018, these regular dialogues are a space to discuss how climate finance is being scaled up and how information on future support can better meet the needs of developing countries.
Recognizing the power of partnership, a special event at COP30 this afternoon will shine a spotlight on Cooperative Climate Initiatives (CCIs) and their role in advancing the Paris Agreement. The session, organized by UN Climate Change, will showcase how alliances, coalitions and other voluntary collaborations are driving both mitigation and adaptation action worldwide.
The event will also explore the NAZCA portal’s CCI module, which tracks the progress of multi-stakeholder initiatives and makes their climate contributions more visible. Participants will hear about updated eligibility criteria, an improved registration process and new tools that help initiatives manage their profiles and report progress more effectively.
Date: Saturday 15 November
Time: 16:00 to 17:30 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Room Paraná, Area C
COP Participants are advised to carefully plan their journey to the Blue Zone tomorrow (Saturday 15 November).
The People’s Summit March will take place in Belém on 15 November and may cause traffic obstructions near the venue. Participants with morning meetings are advised to arrive at the COP30 venue before 9 a.m.
Speaking at COP30 this afternoon, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the world is beginning a new chapter of climate cooperation: bringing our process closer to the real economy, with fair and accessible finance that turns plans into progress.
He said the Circle of Finance Ministers have provided invaluable leadership and insight – grounding the Baku to Belém Roadmap in the real-world realities of economic management and national budgets.
"That roadmap is a powerful signal of confidence – that the $1.3 trillion annual flow of climate finance needed by 2035 is both achievable as well as essential and offers concrete examples of what can work," said Stiell. "Without this finance, climate action won’t happen. It’s only finance at this scale that can equally turn the tide on implementation as well as ensure climate action continues to be the road that makes business sense."
At COP30, we’re reminded not just of what’s at stake, but of what’s possible.
And at the heart of that possibility is climate finance. More than money, it’s the bridge between ambition and action – helping countries, communities, and ecosystems withstand growing climate shocks and transition to low-emissions economies.
Here in Belém, Multilateral Development Banks have united in a call to action for resilience and delivery. They are part of a wider ecosystem of governments, climate funds, private investors, and philanthropic partners working to strengthen livelihoods, create jobs, and support climate-impacted communities and countries.
An important focus this year is the Baku to Belém Roadmap – a practical plan to scale climate finance for developing countries to USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035. It offers something rare in global climate action: a coordinated path from ambition to implementation.
It shows how climate finance can be mobilised, through grants, debt relief, innovative financial instruments, and better access to low-cost capital.
The goal is to unlock investment and make it more accessible, encourage private finance, and channel resources to where they are needed most.
Climate finance is not charity. It is an investment in resilient economies, stable supply chains, and shared prosperity.
Mobilizing and scaling up climate finance hugely benefits every nation. It’s a vital investment in resilient global supply chains, supporting low-inflation growth, food security, and a stronger, more productive global economy that underpins peace and prosperity.
Challenges remain – uneven access and tight budgets – but the solutions are known, and the momentum is real.
COP30 is the moment to transition from plans to tangible outcomes, ensuring that climate finance delivers real impact for people and nature.
Christiana Figueres takes listeners behind the scenes at COP30 to speak to the man who now holds her old job as Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.
As week one of the negotiations nears its end, Simon Stiell explains the quiet but crucial difference between the COP Presidency, which sets the political direction, and the UN Climate Change secretariat, which supports the intergovernmental process and how both connect what happens in the negotiation halls to the real economy.
He also speaks candidly about Hurricane Beryl’s destruction in Carriacou, and how that experience turns what can look like abstract words and commas in negotiation texts into a daily, personal drive for urgency.
“The eye of the hurricane passed over little Carriacou, a 13-square-mile island, population of 6,000 people, 95 per cent of properties decimated,” said Stiell. “My parents were lucky. The roof remained – just. But they’re only now in a position as we are speaking, they are hoping to have it put back for Christmas. But the island is still struggling to get back on its feet.”
Stiell also spoke about closing the gap between where global greenhouse gas emissions are and where they need to be to limit warming 1.5 °C.
“So, we've got until the end of next week to see how parties respond," he said. "But the opportunity that's been presented is to certainly send very strong signals at a technical level. More is being done, not enough. But recognizing that, where does the process go?”
With finance being one of the key themes of COP30 today, this event is one to have on your radar.
Starting at 13:00 today, the Independent High Level Expert Group on Climate Finance (IHLEG) will convene a roundtable on its fourth report. The report sets out a comprehensive pathway to mobilise $1.3 trillion per year in external finance by 2035 for developing countries.
Prepared by the IHLEG at the request of the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, it provides an analytical foundation for the Baku to Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion. The report finds that there is an entirely feasible path to mobilising $1.3 trillion by 2035 from external sources of public and private finance to boost economic development and climate action in developing countries.
Date: Friday 14 November
Time: 13:00 to 14:00 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Meeting room 11, Area D
The Blue Zone front entrance has now been re-opened, after a peaceful demonstration.
Please expect longer wait times, as longer lines move through the normal entry procedures. Please follow any directions from security officials.
Thank you for your patience.
Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific prioritized their investment needs and sharpened their climate investment strategies through a series of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) clinics co-organized by UN Climate Change, its Regional Collaboration Centres and partners.
The workshops helped governments identify gaps in investment planning, set priorities, and design financing strategies to deliver on their national climate commitments. They also brought together officials from key ministries and financial institutions to exchange lessons and best practices.
UN Climate Change has now published the final report of each NDC clinic:
Speaking at the COP30 Presidency Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples at COP30 in Belém last night, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the dialogue reflects what the COP30 Presidency has called for throughout this process: reconnection, with one another and with nature – of which we are a part, not in charge of.
“For centuries, Indigenous Peoples have lived this truth – showing that the purest climate action cannot be confined to a policy document. It is a relationship – of responsibility, reciprocity, and respect,” said Stiell. “Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies are inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future.”
“This is the spirit we must carry through COP30: to turn credible commitments into holistic delivery, and through that delivery, achieve true transformation,” he added.
Speaking at the COP30 Presidency Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples at COP30 in Belém last night, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the dialogue reflects what the COP30 Presidency has called for throughout this process: reconnection, with one another and with nature – of which we are a part, not in charge of.
“For centuries, Indigenous Peoples have lived this truth – showing that the purest climate action cannot be confined to a policy document. It is a relationship – of responsibility, reciprocity, and respect,” said Stiell. “Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies are inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future.”
“This is the spirit we must carry through COP30: to turn credible commitments into holistic delivery, and through that delivery, achieve true transformation,” he added.
Disinformation, climate myths and climate denial aren’t just noise on our feeds – they are a real threat to our shared climate goals.
Our short video about Information Integrity Day at COP30 focuses on protecting what we need for meaningful climate action: reliable information.
More than 35 leading philanthropies have joined forces to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the growing public health crisis driven by climate change.
The Climate and Health Funders Coalition committed an initial $300 million for integrated action to tackle both the causes of climate change and its consequences for health - accelerating solutions where they are needed most.
Announced at COP30 in Belém today, the Coalition’s first joint funding effort supports the implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan – a landmark framework that places human health at the centre of global climate action.
The immediate focus for the first $300 million will be to accelerate solutions, innovations, policies and research on extreme heat, air pollution and climate-sensitive infectious diseases. The funds will also strengthen the integration of critical climate and health data to support resilient health systems that protect people’s lives and livelihoods.
COP30 kicked off this morning with a focus on one of its key themes today – health.
Speaking at the Health and Climate Ministerial Meeting, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said, “Humanity can only win this global climate fight if we connect stronger climate actions to people's top priorities in their daily lives. And there are few higher priorities than our health.”
Stiell also welcomed UN Climate Change’s new three-year collaboration with the Wellcome Trust, which will help to ensure robust health evidence informs more climate policy-making – across resilience-building, cutting greenhouse gas pollution, and communications.
This work will prioritise the real challenges people face, such as extreme heat, air pollution, infectious diseases, mental health, and food insecurity.
Are you on the ground at COP30? Come join our special event that explores the role of social media content creators in climate communication.
This session aims to highlight the power of social media content creators in raising awareness, shaping public understanding, and inspiring action on climate change. Influencers have a unique ability to communicate complex topics creatively and emotionally, reaching diverse audiences across the world.
Through personal stories, experiences, and insights, creators and influencers will share how they can act as a force for good and support climate action.
Date: Thursday 13 November
Time: 11:00 to 12:30 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Special event room - Parnaiba, Area C
At COP30 this morning, Brazil’s Ministry of Health launched the Belém Health Action Plan – the first international climate change adaptation plan exclusively focused on health. The document sets out concrete actions to help countries prepare their health systems and respond to the health impacts of climate change, especially the most vulnerable communities.
The proposal marks a major milestone for COP30. As an open, voluntary framework for countries, international organizations and partners across civil society, academia, private sector and philanthropy, the plan will serve as the health sector’s main contribution to the global climate and health efforts aiming to prepare systems for the climate challenges already affecting people worldwide.
"Health is the most compelling reason for climate action, but for too long, health has been a footnote in climate negotiations," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization. “The Belém Health Action Plan changes that, laying out concrete actions countries can take to build healthier, more resilient communities in a warming world.”
Transparency lies at the heart of the Paris Agreement. It builds trust, drives accountability, and helps track progress toward global climate goals. Through the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), countries are strengthening their evidence base, refining climate policies, and providing clarity on support needs and opportunities.
To support that critical work, the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies will convene a High-Level Dialogue on Transparency at COP30 tomorrow morning. The event will provide a platform for policy makers to discuss priorities under the ETF, including key messages from the BTR synthesis report, underpinning the need for enhanced action and support and providing tools to identify effective policies, remaining gaps and avenues to accelerate progress towards meeting NDC targets.
Date: Thursday 13 November
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Special event room - Madeira, Area C
An informal stocktaking plenary is underway now to provide an update on consultations between the COP30 Presidency and Parties. Tune in to watch live.
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change has just launched the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change at COP30, establishing shared international commitments to address climate disinformation and promote accurate, evidence-based information on climate issues.
The Declaration commits signatories to promote the integrity of information related to climate change at international, national and local levels, in line with international human rights law and the principles of the Paris Agreement.
Drafted in collaboration with civil society members of the Global Initiative Advisory Group, the Declaration has been endorsed by ten countries so far - Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay.
"Climate change is no longer a threat of the future; it is a tragedy of the present," said President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Belém. "We live in an era in which obscurantists reject scientific evidence and attack institutions. It is time to deliver yet another defeat to denialism."
Information integrity is a key thematic focus at COP30 today, together with health, jobs, education, culture, justice and human rights, workers, and the global ethical stocktake.
At 13:15 today, there will be a COP30 Presidency press conference with remarks from:
- Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President
- Ana Toni, COP30 CEO
- Ambassador Liliam Chagas, Director of the Climate Department, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Túlio Andrade, Director of Strategy and Alignment, COP30
Date: Wednesday 12 November
Time: 13:15 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Press Conference Room 1
Over the past decade, climate action has accelerated across governments, cities, businesses, and communities – reshaping the global climate landscape. The Accelerator City for Climate Action (AC) initiative was launched by UN Climate Change as a pilot to enable cities and the creative industries to work together in driving climate innovation. It focuses on sectors such as live music, film and television, major events, and other cultural industries that both inspire citizens and influence consumption patterns.
Liverpool, as the world’s first Accelerator City, has led this collaboration. At COP30, this session will showcase Liverpool’s journey and introduce the next phase of the Accelerator City initiative, expanding collaboration between cities and creative industries to co-develop practical solutions for sustainable cultural production.
Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Time: 12:30 to 14:00 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: COP30 Conference Venue – SE Room São Francisco (Square-60)
Hosted by: UN Climate Change – ECCA Accelerator City Initiative
UN Climate Change and the climate data coalition Climate TRACE are co-hosting an event at COP30 today about transforming climate data into climate action.
Featuring a presentation on the latest data from Climate TRACE by co-founders Al Gore and Gavin McCormick, the event will highlight innovative tools that help countries and non-state actors analyze progress, identify opportunities, and track commitments toward faster decarbonization.
There will also be a panel discussion moderated by Al Gore focused on bridging the divide between data providers and implementers.
Date: Wednesday 12 November
Time: 11:00 to 12:30 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Special Event Room Parnaíba in Area C of the COP30 Blue Zone
The Capacity-Building Hub is an important space at COP for experts, practitioners, and communities dedicated to strengthening the skills and systems needed to drive climate action.
Now in its seventh edition, the Hub continues to serve as a platform for representation, collaboration, and shared learning among a wide range of stakeholders engaged in capacity-building. It highlights the central role of capacity-building in advancing the Paris Agreement and delivering on strengthened commitments, while showcasing practical climate action that leads to enduring, transformative change.
Over the years, the Hub has evolved into an integral gathering space for the capacity-building community – a place where knowledge and experience converge, linking local expertise with global insights.
This year’s Capacity-Building Hub at COP30 will run from 12–20 November, featuring a series of thematic days:
- 12 November: Means of Implementation Day
- 15 November: Capacities for the Energy Transition Day
- 17 November: Focus on Finance Day
- 18 November: Cultural Heritage and Arts Day
- 19 November: Capacities for the Future Day
- 20 November: Nature-based Solutions Day
An update to key findings of UN Climate Change’s 2025 NDC Synthesis Report shows that the global emissions curve is beginning to bend downwards.
According to the new analysis detailed in a letter to Parties and Observers from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, global greenhouse gas emissions are projected to fall by 12% in 2035 compared to 2019 levels, based on new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) from 113 Parties under the Paris Agreement up to 9 November – including many received in recent weeks.
Speaking at a press conference on the opening day of COP30 in Belem yesterday, Stiell welcomed the progress but emphasized the need for much faster action.
“That’s a big deal,” he said. “Every fraction of a degree of heating avoided will save millions of lives and billions of dollars in economic damage.”
The NDC Synthesis Report, released on October, provided valuable new data, both about progress being made and the major challenges still remaining, although this data is limited to 64 national climate plans formally submitted by September 30.
At COP30 in Belém, countries and partners will come together for the High-Level Opening of Together4Transparency this afternoon. The event will mark ten years since the Paris Agreement and highlight transparency as a cornerstone of global climate cooperation.
Transparency builds trust, drives accountability, and allows the world to see whether we are truly making progress toward our climate goals. Since 2015, all nations have reported under a common framework, with flexibility for those that need it.
Looking ahead to 2035, the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) will remain central to building confidence, strengthening ambition, and driving implementation.
The event will also launch the T4T programme at COP30. Created at COP27 by the UNFCCC, the #Together4Transparency initiative brings together governments, experts, and organizations committed to implementing the ETF, recognizing that all actors play a role in ensuring the success of the Paris Agreement.
Date: Tuesday 11 November
Time: 17:00 to 18:00 Belém time (GMT -3)
Location: Special event room - Parana
The UN’s international carbon market sets the benchmark for Paris-aligned markets and aims to drive higher climate ambition worldwide.
A year on from the breakthrough on Article 6 at COP29, the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body will host an event at COP30 tonight that looks at progress since COP29 in getting the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism up and running and share perspectives on the advantages of the UN carbon market for countries and market actors.
If you’re attending COP30 in person, join the event “Raising the Bar: Integrity and Impact with the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism” from 18:30–20:00 in Meeting Room 14 (Area D) in the Blue Zone. A recording will be available on our YouTube events channel after the event.
Subscribe to the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism newsletter for the latest updates on the UN carbon market.
COP30 kicked off yesterday in Belém, Brazil.
With climate disasters hitting every country on our planet, bold climate action and global cooperation have never been more crucial.
As UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said in the opening ceremony, addressing delegates from across the world:
“In this arena of COP30, the job is not to fight one another – the job is to fight this climate crisis together.”
Today marks the release of the Yearbook of Global Climate Action 2025, the annually published report led by the Climate High-Level Champions and UN Climate Change (with data from its NAZCA portal) presenting a snapshot of global climate action and showcasing its progress and gaps.
“This ninth edition demonstrates that the Global Climate Action Agenda has matured from a platform for mobilization into an instrument for implementation,” writes UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in the Yearbook’s foreword. “It provides evidence that systems transformation is underway, and highlights where momentum must now accelerate.”
The yearbook’s findings highlight that 95% of countries [in the 2025 NDC Synthesis Report] now engage cities, businesses, and civil society in implementing climate plans, demonstrating that whole-of-society action is accelerating. Yet it also calls for deeper alignment between national ambition and local delivery to close remaining gaps in finance and capacity.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell delivered remarks during a press conference with COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago this afternoon – the opening day of COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Stiell said every year he is asked how he feels about the COP. His answer? “I am determined.”
He pointed to the fact that the Paris Agreement is delivering real progress.
“We are now bending the curve of planet heating emissions downwards – for the very first time,” he said.
He also referred journalists in the room to the letter UN Climate Change sent to the Parties this morning, which has the latest numbers, updating our recent NDC Synthesis report. The new NDCs, including many received in recent days, will reduce emissions by 12% in 2035.
“That’s a big deal,” said Stiell.
Today an update to our NDC Synthesis Report shows the emissions curve is being bent downwards.
Global emissions are projected to fall by 12% in 2035 (compared to 2019 levels) based on new NDCs, including many received in recent weeks.
"That’s a big deal," write UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell on LinkedIn. "Every fraction of a degree of heating avoided will save millions of lives and billions of dollars in economic damage. But we must move much, much, faster on both reductions of emissions and strengthening resilience."
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell addressed the official opening of COP30 today, noting that the Paris Agreement has helped bend the curve of emissions downward.
But he didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We must move much, much, faster on both reductions of emissions and strengthening resilience,” he said.
Stiell said strong and clear outcomes on all issues are essential.
“This is how we signal to the world that climate cooperation is delivering results,” he added. “In Belém, we’ve got to marry the world of negotiations to the actions needed in the real economy. Every gigawatt of clean power cuts pollution and creates more jobs. Every action to build resilience helps save lives, strengthen communities, and protect the global supply chains that every economy depends on. This is the growth story of the 21st century – the economic transformation of our age.”
Tune in now to watch the opening plenary of COP30 live.
The AI for Climate Action Award 2025 takes place today, from 15:30–16:30 in Room Tapajós at COP30. The award recognizes cutting-edge projects that harness the power of artificial intelligence to advance climate action – driving both mitigation and adaptation, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
This year’s competition drew more than 600 entries from innovators around the world. The 2025 winner, Alisa Luangrath of Laos PDR, will be honored for SAFIR – Smart AI-based Farming & Irrigation for Resilience, an AI-driven irrigation monitoring service that helps farmers improve water efficiency and climate resilience. Alisa will be present at COP30 from 10 to 12 November.
The event will also showcase around ten runner-up projects through short videos highlighting innovative applications of AI in sectors ranging from agriculture to energy and disaster response.
The award will be presented by Sophie De Coninck, Director of UN Climate Change’s Means of Implementation Division, celebrating the next generation of AI-enabled climate solutions that deliver real impact on the ground.
The 2025 AI for Climate Action Award is hosted by the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee, in partnership with the Climate Technology Centre and Network and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in collaboration with Brazil and Enterprise Neurosystem.
A warm welcome to all in Belém and to those following COP30 from many other places around the world!
Delegates and participants are now arriving at the COP30 venue, ready for the start of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference.
Watch the livestream of the COP30 opening plenary starting at 10:00 a.m. Belém time (GMT -3) today. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell will deliver a major speech during the opening plenary at around 11:00 a.m. local time.
A schedule of other events taking place throughout the day is available here.
Below is a statement UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell posted on his LinkedIn earlier today, on the eve of COP30.
On the eve of COP30, one thing is clear: The Paris Agreement is delivering real progress, but we must accelerate in the Amazon.
Devastating climate damages are happening already, from Hurricane Melissa hitting the Caribbean, Super Typhoons smashing Vietnam and the Philippines, to a tornado ripping through Southern Brazil.
This is why COP must achieve three things:
It must send a clear signal: nations are fully on board for climate cooperation - that means agreeing strong outcomes on all the key issues.
It must speed up implementation across all sectors of all economies.
And it must connect climate action to people’s real lives – to help spread its benefits: stronger growth, more jobs, less pollution and better health, more affordable, secure energy.
This is my fourth COP since taking office. At each one – and many before – countries have overcome their differences and delivered.
So, let's get on with the job.
A decade after the Paris Agreement, COP30 marks a decisive shift from planning to delivery. The focus has moved from commitments on paper to real-world implementation – turning the new generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into concrete action that accelerates clean energy transitions, strengthens institutions and economies, and delivers tangible benefits for people and the planet.
In this new era of implementation, the United Nations system and partners are coming together at COP30 to support countries in putting their NDCs into action. Across the conference, several events will highlight practical pathways, analytical tools, and partnerships that can help Parties translate ambition into measurable results.
A curated list of NDC-related events is now available - showcasing the breadth and depth of expertise and support available to Parties as we enter together the era of implementation.
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) gets underway tomorrow.
Delegates from around the world will convene in Belém, Brazil, for two weeks of crucial negotiations, dynamic discussions and global collaboration, all focused on tackling the climate crisis with urgency and ambition.
Stay up to date by following us here over the next two weeks, as well as on our new WhatsApp channel and on social media.
The UN Climate Change Conference COP30 gets underway on Monday in in Belém, Brazil.
With climate impacts inflicting growing human and economic costs in every country, every COP is a vital global moment that must deliver major progress, and COP30 is no exception.
Check out our latest UN Climate Change Quarterly Update to learn more about some of the key issues on the table at COP30.
The update captures key developments across mitigation, adaptation, transparency, Article 6, finance, and non-Party stakeholder engagement – as well as progress made through our Regional Collaboration Centres and other initiatives.
It also outlines some of the major preparatory work that took place ahead of COP30, including our three reports on national adaptation plans (NAPs), nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and biennial transparency reports (BTRs) released last month, and other milestones on the road to COP30 in Belém.
Speaking at the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém today, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell reflected on the global journey from Rio to Paris – and issued a clear call for faster, fairer delivery of climate action and finance.
Stiell highlighted how the world’s climate response, though far from complete, has already changed the trajectory of global warming. The clean energy transition, he noted, is now booming.
“Last year, two trillion dollars flowed into renewables – twice as much as into fossil fuels,” said Stiell. “Ninety per cent of new power capacity worldwide was renewable.”
Yet even as progress accelerates, the Executive Secretary warned that countries must act together to ensure all nations can benefit from the clean energy revolution. “Climate plans and climate finance,” he said, “are the spark that can accelerate action, driving green growth and resilience for every nation.”
Referencing the Baku to Belém Roadmap, Stiell said the goal of scaling climate finance from $300 billion to $1.3 trillion a year by 2035 must become a reality. “This is shared interest, not charity – an investment in stability and prosperity,” he said, emphasizing the multiple dividends of every climate dollar invested: jobs, cleaner air, health, security, and resilience.
“Ten years on, we must prove it again – by making this extraordinary framework work faster and fairer, for everyone, everywhere.”
At the Belém Leaders’ Summit today, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the world is in the midst of a “renewables revolution.”
“Last year, 90 per cent of new power capacity came from renewables,” he noted. “Clean energy is now the cheapest source of new electricity almost everywhere - and creates three times more jobs than fossil fuels.”
Yet current national commitments still put the world on a course of more than 2°C of warming. Guterres outlined five urgent priorities to change that: align laws and subsidies with just energy transitions; protect workers and communities; invest in grids and storage; ensure new demand, including from AI, is met with clean power; and unlock affordable finance for developing countries.
He warned that overshooting 1.5°C is inevitable in the short term - “but what matters is how high and for how long.” Global emissions must nearly halve by 2030, reach net zero by 2050, and move to net negative thereafter.
“The fossil fuel age is ending,” he concluded. “The clean energy future is rising. Let’s make the transition fair, fast and final.”
Today in the heart of the Amazon, President Lula took a hugely important step, with the Tropical Forest Forever Facility - a new push to make standing forests more valuable than cleared land.
Writing on LinkedIn, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the new initiative, saying it "creates long-term, predictable support for the countries and communities who protect them."
He added: "Forests are the lungs of our planet. They protect biodiversity, store carbon, regulate rainfall, sustain livelihoods, and help keep the 1.5 degree goal within reach. Every economy depends on them. That’s why the Tropical Forest Forever Facility is so important. Because it begins to match financial incentives with reality."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called today's launch "a statement of solidarity and hope." Read his full remarks here.
Addressing world leaders at the opening of the Leaders’ Summit in Belém, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made the case that a clean energy revolution has taken hold.
“Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of power – and the fastest growing sources of electricity in history,” he said. “Last year, almost all new power capacity came from renewables. The clean-energy economy is creating jobs and driving development. It is reshaping geopolitics – delivering energy security and price stability. And it is connecting millions to clean and affordable energy for the first time.”
The Secretary-General noted in his speech that the economics have shifted. In 2024, investors poured 2 trillion US dollars into clean energy – 800 billion more than fossil fuels.
“Clean energy is winning on price, performance, and potential – offering the solutions to transform our economies and protect our populations,” he said.
He also called on world leaders to move faster – and move together, adding that this COP must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery.
The two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit kicks off today bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations to discuss pressing climate change challenges and commitments.
The Summit is part of the official activities of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which runs from November 10 to 21. Convened by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the meeting represents a key milestone in the process of mobilization and international dialogue on the climate agenda. Both the Summit and COP30 provide a platform for world leaders to raise ambition, translate climate pledges into concrete, real-economy outcomes.
Throughout both days of the Leaders' Summit, heads of delegation will take the floor in the Plenary Hall to deliver their formal speeches on climate. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations will address the Leaders’ Summit today.
The opening plenary will be streamed on UN Web TV from 10:30 – 17:30 Belém time today here.
Due to logistical and security adjustments, the Brazilian organizing committee will now require a specific national credential for access to the Belém Climate Summit (November 6 and 7).
Media accreditation by the secretariat will ONLY be accepted for the 10th through the 21st of November.
Applications for the Leaders Summit must be submitted before Friday, October 31, 2025 at 18:00 Brasilia time (BRT; GMT-3).
Please find more information including a link to the Presidency’s accreditation system here.
Please direct any questions to: press.leaders.cop30@itamaraty.gov.br.
Due to logistical and security adjustments, the Brazilian organizing committee will now require a specific national credential for access to the Belém Climate Summit (November 6 and 7).
Media accreditation by the secretariat will ONLY be accepted for the 10th through the 21st of November.
Applications for the Leaders Summit must be submitted before Friday, October 31, 2025 at 18:00 Brasilia time (BRT; GMT-3).
Please find more information including a link to the Presidency’s accreditation system here.
Please direct any questions to: press.leaders.cop30@itamaraty.gov.br.