Global realities voiced at Belém Climate Summit: COP30 officially begins in Brazil
Baku, November 7, AZERTAC
The leaders' general plenary session as part of the Climate Summit (COP30) commenced in Belém, Brazil with participation from world leaders.
The event saw attendance from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the COP29 President, and heads of state and government from various countries.
Azerbaijan was represented at the Belém Climate Summit by Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, as well as the COP29 delegation led by the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other state and government representatives.
The Belém Summit serves as the high-level phase preceding the official opening of COP30 and aims to strengthen political commitments against the climate crisis.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted in his address that the world has failed to meet its commitment to stay under the 1.5°C target, with science warning that temporary exceedance of this limit from the early 2030s is inevitable. Efforts must focus on making this exceedance as small, short, and safe as possible, as every degree of increase means more hunger, displacement, and loss. He highlighted the catastrophic consequences of the climate crisis—rising forest fires, floods, droughts, and storms—striking heavy blows to human lives and economic development. Countries were urged to immediately and collectively reduce emissions, phase out fossil fuels, and accelerate investments in renewable energy and adaptation.
The 1.5-degree threshold was described as humanity's red line, with no intention to abandon the goal, emphasizing the need to stand with science, justice, and future generations.
Reference was made to the $1.3 trillion climate finance goal agreed at COP29 in Baku, reminding developed countries to fulfill these obligations by 2035.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed special gratitude for COP29 outcomes, evaluating the Baku to Belém Roadmap signed in Baku as a significant step in directing global climate efforts. Steps taken under Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency created a strong foundation for COP30, and this roadmap must be transformed into a practical action plan.
The two-day Belém Summit addresses topics such as forest and ocean protection, energy transition, the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, national climate plans, and financial support for developing countries. Particular attention is given to the "Tropical Forests Forever Fund"—an international financing initiative for long-term tropical forest preservation.
Officials stated that the Belém Summit strengthens Brazil's claim to global leadership in combating climate change and provides political momentum for the COP30 conference.
It is recalled that Belém will officially host the COP30 conference starting November 10.
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