Belém do Pará is one of the gateways to the largest tropical forest on the planet, but it is much more than that. The city pulses to the rhythm of carimbó, enjoys the diverse flavors of Cairu ice cream, and hosts one of the most vibrant markets in Latin America at Ver-o-Peso. In musical circles, guitarrada — an instrumental genre recognized as Brazilian cultural heritage — is part of Pará’s sonic identity, alongside lambada and tecnobrega. At the table, Amazonian cuisine reveals itself in delicacies such as tacacá and tucupi, which bring together the forest’s unique flavors.

In November 2025, this setting will host the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties, COP30. Hosting the world’s largest climate event in the Amazon carries powerful symbolism and sends a direct message to global leaders.

Why was the Amazon biome chosen to host COP30?

In his fifth letter to the international community, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, president of COP30, stated that “bringing COP30 to the heart of the Amazon means giving space to the vulnerable and marginalized as genuine leaders, who make courageous decisions every day – and who must now be at the center of global decision-making.” Since Belém was announced as the host city, authorities have consistently emphasized that holding COP in the Amazon carries strong symbolism that outweighs the region’s logistical challenges.

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What is the importance of COP30? 

Beyond the social aspect, the decision to hold COP30 in the Amazon reflects the forest’s strategic importance for global climate balance. After all, it acts as a climate regulator and influences temperature and precipitation patterns across continents. “Due to the ecosystem’s importance, the Amazon can be a driving force in maintaining current climate conditions. It has the potential to accelerate or limit human-induced climate change,” explains Suzan Pantaroto, Environmental Sciences professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) and president of the university’s COP30 Commission.

The phenomenon of “flying rivers” exemplifies the Amazon’s role in climate regulation: the volume of water vapor transported by the atmosphere from the forest acts as a temperature modulator and generates rainfall in distant regions.

What is expected from a COP held for the first time near a tropical forest?

This is the first time a COP is held so close to a tropical forest. The expectation is that participants will experience the social and climate challenges discussed in negotiation rooms and transformed into reports. Proximity to the forest may turn data on deforestation and biodiversity into tangible experiences. “For leaders and decision-makers to understand what the Amazon means and what the Amazonian factor is in the climate issue, they need to be there, experience the territory, and know all the richness and diversity that exists there,” emphasizes Suzan.

Additionally, COP30 offers a unique opportunity for Indigenous peoples and traditional Amazonian communities to actively participate in negotiations. In Belém, these communities are in their own territory, with enhanced protagonism. In his first letter to the international community, Corrêa do Lago stated that “COP30 will be the first to take place indisputably at the epicenter of the climate crisis and the first to be held in the Amazon, one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems, which scientists say is now at risk of an irreversible tipping point.”

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How will the biome influence the topics to be discussed?

Although the climate agenda is global, immersion in the Amazon biome may influence how participants understand the issues being negotiated. “Humans are sensitive to what they see. Being present in the location generates additional motivation for the topics to focus on planetary health,” says Suzan.

Amazonian diversity will also be highlighted by the region’s social contrasts. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that Brazil should not “mask” reality for visitors. This means delegations will encounter the country’s contradictions – from upscale areas to riverside communities, from modern sanitation to open sewage that still exists in some regions.

“Even with COP, the city will continue with inadequate habits and stilt houses. And I’m sure visitors will want to see these non-noble areas of the region,” says Suzan from Unifesp. This confrontation with reality may sensitize leaders to commitments related to climate justice and support for vulnerable countries.

What challenges are Belém and Brazil facing and what is being done to overcome them?

Belém’s infrastructure is the main challenge in hosting an event as large as COP30. “The city didn’t have the necessary infrastructure for an event of this magnitude,” says Suzan.

However, measures are being implemented. To accommodate participants from delegations around the world, in addition to the official COP accommodation platform, public authorities and society have expanded the number of beds with adapted schools, military lodgings, and religious spaces. Catholic and evangelical churches launched a solidarity platform for low-cost accommodation, and authorities confirmed the use of cruise ships to temporarily reinforce the network. In academia, the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) will host the COP Village, an initiative to accommodate Indigenous people.

The city’s basic sanitation system underwent significant expansion. With the construction work, over 500,000 people will benefit directly, representing more than a third of Belém’s population of nearly 1.4 million, leaving a legacy for the local community. Free English training programs were offered to residents, preparing the population to welcome international visitors.

In early October, Corrêa do Lago praised the COP’s realization in the Pará capital. “The more people come to Belém, the more people will discover the wonder that is this city and the way the world will be embraced by its people,” he said during an official visit.

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What are the expected outcomes of COP for the Amazon region?

The projected legacy for Belém and the Amazon combines structural works and strategic positioning. According to Ana Toni, CEO of COP30, the conference should position Brazil as a provider of nature-based solutions, with the potential to attract investments and boost the regional economy and tourism. On the infrastructure side, the federal package includes permanent improvements in sanitation, mobility, and quality of life. Corrêa do Lago has emphasized that the preparations are not “cosmetic” and praised the infrastructure of Parque da Cidade, which will host the meeting, as part of the urban and symbolic legacy for the region.

For Indigenous peoples, COP30 represents an opportunity to amplify their voices. “In the Amazon, Indigenous leaders will not be alone. They and all original peoples will be able to bring people to see the real situations, not just hear or watch videos,” explains Suzan. The conference may also strengthen national awareness of the Amazon’s importance. “Many people in Brazil didn’t know what COP was,” says the researcher, highlighting the need for ongoing environmental education.

Are COP-related events happening only in the Amazon?

Although Belém is the official host, parallel events are taking place in different Brazilian regions, democratizing access to climate discussions and engaging all biomes.

São Paulo Climate Week, held from August 2 to 8, mobilized over 10,000 participants in debates on technological innovation, energy transition, and climate justice. Rio Climate Action Week, held from August 23 to 29 in partnership with London Climate Action Week, focused on COP30’s Action Agenda pillars: transition in energy, industry, and transport sectors; sustainable management of forests, oceans, and biodiversity; transformation of agriculture and food systems; building resilience in cities, infrastructure, and water; and promoting human and social development.

In Brasília, the Pre-COP30, held from October 13 to 14, brought together international negotiators. Embrapa promoted “Climate Dialogues” in seven cities, covering the Cerrado, Pantanal, Amazon, Pampa, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga. Meanwhile, Caatinga Climate Week in Caruaru, held from October 1 to 4, placed Brazil’s only exclusive biome at the center of the debate.

These are just a few examples, and other meetings will take place throughout October and November. This shows how national mobilization reflects the importance of the moment. For Suzan, the essential outcome is that the conference leads to concrete actions: “Ideally, this space will be used for important decision-making on climate change mitigation and combat in the coming years, in the next decade,” she concludes.

Conclusion

COP30, held in the Amazon, is an opportunity to bring global decision-makers closer to issues related to one of the most important biomes for climate regulation in the world. Held for the first time near a tropical forest, the UN climate conference can also help give voice to Indigenous peoples and riverside communities, key actors in combating the climate crisis.

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