Belem, Brazil – The United Nations has called for its staff and member state delegations to reduce their attendance at the upcoming Cop30 climate summit in Brazil due to skyrocketing accommodation prices. With Belem, the coastal Amazon city set to host the summit in November, struggling to provide affordable lodging, concerns are mounting about the event’s accessibility and inclusivity.
What Happened
In a move to address the mounting accommodation crisis, Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Secretariat, issued a request to heads of UN organizations and agencies, urging them to reduce the number of attendees where possible. He acknowledged the capacity constraints in Belem, which has caused prices to surge, leaving many delegations scrambling to secure rooms within their budgets.
According to the Brazilian Cop30 presidency, the country is working on increasing the number of hotel beds available. However, soaring accommodation prices have already sparked calls from some governments to relocate the conference—a request that Brazilian officials have firmly rejected. In response, Brazil’s presidency has committed to securing 15 single rooms at reduced rates for the poorest nations.
Who Is Affected?
Developing countries, in particular, have expressed concerns about the high cost of accommodations, which has made attending the conference financially unfeasible for many. Media organizations and civil society groups have also announced that they may need to scale back or abandon their coverage of the event altogether due to the steep accommodation prices.
Miriam Belchior, the Executive Secretary to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, explained that Brazil is already absorbing a significant portion of the costs associated with hosting Cop30 and cannot offer further financial support or subsidies. The escalating accommodation issue has led to warnings that this could be “the least inclusive Cop ever” unless viable solutions are found soon.
Career/Background or Context
Each year, representatives from nearly every country gather for the UN climate summit to negotiate policies aimed at curbing climate change and addressing global environmental challenges. The Cop30 summit in Brazil was expected to be a critical opportunity for progress on climate action, but the accommodation crisis risks overshadowing its success. Developing nations, which are often at the forefront of climate change’s adverse impacts, are especially concerned about not being able to attend due to financial barriers.
During a meeting of countries’ representatives and UN officials last month, the UN asked Brazil to subsidize hotel prices to ensure affordable accommodations for delegates, with $100 per day for poorer countries and $400-$500 per day for others. However, the Brazilian government has been firm in its stance that it cannot provide additional financial support.
Public/Social Media Reactions
On social media and in various climate advocacy circles, the issue of inclusivity at Cop30 has sparked backlash, with many expressing concern that the high accommodation prices will undermine the summit’s legitimacy and its ability to produce meaningful outcomes for vulnerable communities. Several climate activists have voiced disappointment, calling for an urgent solution to ensure that Cop30 remains accessible to all nations, especially those bearing the brunt of climate change.
Official Statements and What Happens Next
Discussions are ongoing regarding possible solutions to the accommodation crisis. Another meeting of countries’ representatives and UN officials is scheduled for later this week to assess the situation and explore potential compromises. For now, the UN is urging all participants to consider reducing their delegations to ensure the conference remains financially viable for as many nations as possible.
Closing Line
As the summit approaches, the world will be watching to see whether Brazil and the UN can address the accommodation issue and ensure that Cop30 remains a truly inclusive global event. This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post UN Urges Reduced Delegations at Cop30 as Accommodation Costs Soar in Belem, Brazil first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
