Highlights and images for 22 November 2025

The Belém Climate Change Conference kept delegates on their toes until the very end. The routine flow of the closing plenaries of the governing bodies of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement was repeatedly interrupted by groups and Parties raising a series of points of order, objections, and comments on various negotiation issues.

Panama, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador denounced the gavelling of the decision on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) despite their delegations having raised their flags and signalling points of order. They lamented that the indicators erase two years of technical work conducted with expert input. The Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Environmental Integrity Group, the European Union, Sierra Leone, and Canada also expressed concerns over the decision.

Colombia noted it had raised a point of order before adoption of the decision on the mitigation work programme (MWP). Underscoring that the “COP of truth cannot support an outcome that ignores science,” they urged amending the text to state that the topics for the MWP’s 2026 global dialogues will be: industry; and pathways for transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner to keep 1.5°C within reach.

As a result of this turmoil, plenary was suspended for over an hour, with Parties huddling in various parts of the room. When the session eventually resumed, COP 30 President André Corrêa do Lago: stated his regrets that he had not been made aware of the points of order; noted the Secretariat’s confirmation that the decisions were adopted; suggested that work on these issues continue at the June 2026 meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies; and invited the Secretariat to prepare best practices to ensure the predictability and legitimacy of the process.

The adoption of other decisions, by contrast, went more smoothly. Participants applauded the adoption of the new gender action plan as well as the decision to develop a just transition mechanism. Settling a long stalemate, the COP accepted Türkiye’s offer to host COP 31 and welcomed an arrangement between Türkiye and Australia to share the COP 31 Presidency. The COP also accepted Ethiopia’s offer to host COP 32 in 2027, which will be the first time the governing bodies meet in a least developed country.

COP 30 President Corrêa do Lago also announced the creation of two Presidency roadmaps: one on the transition away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable manner and the other on halting and reversing deforestation by 2030, with outcomes to be reported at COP 31. Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Brazil, explained this was the Presidency’s response to the lack of consensus to address these matters in the “Mutirão” decision.

In closing, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell noted that COP 30 took place amidst stormy geopolitical waters but highlighted the unity of the 194 nations that continue to fight for a livable planet. Pointing to the “Mutirão” decision, he underscored that the conference delivered the acknowledgment that the global transition towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development is irreversible. He urged rejection of disinformation and implored countries to speed up the implementation of national climate plans.

COP 30 President Corrêa do Lago thanked all those that contributed to the process, including observers, whom he encouraged to keep asking for more and guide negotiators in the right direction. He closed the session at 8:44 pm.