At the close of COP30, held from November 10-21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres commended the significant strides made during the conference, underscoring the critical role of multilateral cooperation in tackling global climate challenges. Guterres extended his gratitude to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, COP30 President André de Largo, the Brazilian government, the people of Belém, and the UNFCCC Secretariat for their exceptional hospitality and tireless efforts in organizing the event.
Guterres emphasized that the conference, held at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, showcased the enduring power of multilateralism. Nations united to address the pressing issue of climate change, demonstrating that collective action is essential in solving challenges that transcend borders.
Key achievements at COP30 included a commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035, the establishment of a Just Transition Mechanism to support workers and communities transitioning to renewable energy, and the launch of a new dialogue to enhance international trade cooperation. Additionally, participants acknowledged the likelihood of temporarily exceeding the 1.5°C temperature rise limit, prompting the introduction of a Global Implementation Accelerator to expedite the fulfillment of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Despite these advancements, Guterres acknowledged the limitations of COP30, noting that consensus-driven negotiations in an era of geopolitical fragmentation made comprehensive agreements increasingly difficult. He admitted that the conference fell short of addressing all necessary measures, leaving some stakeholders, particularly youth, Indigenous communities, and climate-affected populations, disappointed.
Guterres warned of the dangers of overshooting the 1.5°C threshold, urging humanity to treat it as an inviolable red line. He called for rapid emissions reductions, credible plans to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, and enhanced climate justice, adaptation, and resilience efforts. He also stressed the urgent need for increased climate finance to support developing nations in mitigating emissions and addressing loss and damage.
While COP30 has concluded, Guterres emphasized that the global fight against climate change must continue. He pledged to advocate for higher ambitions and greater international solidarity, urging all participants to remain steadfast in their efforts. ‘History is on your side, and so is the United Nations,’ he concluded.