COP30 in Belém Blends High-Stakes Climate Diplomacy with Street-Level Heat, Protests and Pavilion Rivalry

COP30 has opened in Belém, Brazil, drawing about 50,000 participants from more than 190 countries for 12 days of climate negotiations on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. [2] Inside the plenary, UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries to “fight this climate crisis, together” and warned that governments must move “much, much faster” to cut greenhouse gas emissions if the 1.5°C limit is to remain within reach. [2] Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called climate change “a tragedy of the present” and denounced attempts to undermine science and climate institutions. [2]

Outside the negotiating rooms, COP30’s sprawling venue showcased a different kind of competition. Delegates endured sweltering heat and sudden torrential downpours that flooded parts of the site and even tore a hole in the ceiling of the United Kingdom pavilion, prompting organisers to rush in repairs and extra electric fans. [1] South Korea’s pavilion became a surprise hit as its K-Pop Demon Hunters–themed hand fans were snapped up by overheated attendees and had to be rationed within hours. [1]

Pavilions doubled as soft-power stages. Malaysia and Indonesia drew crowds with traditional dance and batik demonstrations, while Australia and Turkey, rivals to host COP31, set up side-by-side booths offering coffee, tea and tote bags to attract delegates. [1] Singapore’s forest-inspired pavilion proved popular with visitors collecting limited-edition wildlife pins, and ASEAN debuted its first-ever pavilion to showcase regional climate and biodiversity efforts. [1]

Protest and politics also shaped the mood. At the main entrance to the “blue zone,” activists staged demonstrations against carbon markets and for vegan diets, while Indigenous and student groups forced their way into the venue, injuring two staff and calling for land rights and stronger protection from climate impacts. [1][2] Indigenous leader Pablo Inuma Flores urged governments to “stop promising” and start protecting communities already suffering the effects of climate change. [2]

As negotiations continue without any official US delegation present, scientists warn that the cryosphere is destabilising at an alarming pace, calling climate change “the defining security and stability challenge of our time,” and underscoring what’s at stake in Belém. [2]

Références
[1] The Straits Times. Rewards, rivalry, rebellion: Inside the COP30 battle for attention. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/rewards-rivalry-rebellion-inside-the-cop30-battle-for-attention

[2] Al Jazeera. COP30 opens in Brazil with calls for unity to tackle climate crisis. Retrieved from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/10/cop30-opens-in-brazil-with-calls-for-unity-amid-us