The 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) is a climate summit held in Belém, the capital of the state of Pará in northern Brazil, from 10 to 22 November 2025. The event marks the thirtieth annual summit under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC is an international climate agreement signed at the 1992 Rio Summit and serves as the foundational treaty for the Paris Agreement.
COP30 was convened on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and was conducted with the primary objectives of preserving the 1.5°C target, achieving net zero emissions by 2050, increasing climate finance, and supporting a just transition.
Approximately 50,000 participants attended the summit, including representatives from 198 United Nations member states, international organizations, civil society groups, scientists, private sector representatives, indigenous communities, and youth delegations. COP30 was the first Conference of the Parties to be held in the Amazon basin.
Before the summit, the COP30 Leaders Summit took place on 6–7 November 2025, during which Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosted more than 60 heads of state and government. The opening session of the conference was held on 10 November 2025, and the presidency of COP29 was formally transferred from Azerbaijan to Brazil. Brazil’s Climate Envoy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andre Corrêa do Lago, described COP30 as an “implementation COP”.
Negotiations at the summit lasted two weeks, were temporarily suspended on 20 November due to a fire incident, and concluded with a closing session on 22 November. The final agreement contained no explicit reference to the phased elimination of fossil fuels but did include decisions aimed at increasing climate finance for developing countries.
Leaders Meeting Prior to the Summit
On 6–7 November 2025, the COP30 Leaders Summit was held. At this summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosted more than 60 heads of state and government. Key agenda items included countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate targets, the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, and the protection of the Amazon.
According to data from Climate Watch, a platform operated by the World Resources Institute (WRI), 74 countries had submitted their NDC reports to the United Nations prior to the summit, while 123 countries had not yet done so. These reports serve as foundational documents for the preparation of the Global Stocktake.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement prior to the summit, stated that the world had failed to meet the 1.5°C target and emphasized that commitments made under the Paris Agreement would be reassessed during this meeting.
Opening Session and Presidency Transfer
The official opening session of COP30 took place on 10 November 2025 in Belém, the capital of the state of Pará. Attendees included Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP30 President Ambassador Andre Aranha Corrêa do Lago, and Muhtar Babayev, Special Representative for Climate Issues of the President of Azerbaijan and President of COP29.
During the opening, the presidency of COP29 was formally transferred from Azerbaijan to Brazil. In his address, Muhtar Babayev stated, “The deadline is nearly here. Therefore, developed countries must seize every moment to close the gap. These were collective agreements, but their implementation depends on the individual actions of each country.”
COP30 President Andre Corrêa do Lago, in his opening speech, highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. He noted that despite progress made in climate action, many critical actions remain unfulfilled and stressed the urgency of the process. He also referenced recent hurricanes in the state of Pará and other extreme weather events across Brazil, describing them as direct impacts of global warming.
Corrêa do Lago has also defined COP30 as a “implementation COP”. In his own words, “I hope an adaptation COP will be remembered as one where the integration of the economy and climate has advanced, where actions are taken, employment is created, and above all, where science is listened to and believed.”
Following the opening, the summit’s program has been structured to encompass a two-week negotiation process. The first week is dedicated to technical negotiations, while the second week focuses on ministerial-level political sessions. The opening ceremony also highlighted the outcomes of the COP30 Leaders Summit (6–7 November 2025), held under COP30. More than 60 heads of state and government participated in this summit, with Turkey represented by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.
First Week of Negotiations (10–16 November 2025)
The first week of COP30 took place between 10 and 16 November 2025. Discussions during this period covered emissions reduction, climate finance, adaptation policies, global carbon markets, loss and damage mechanisms, just transition, and international cooperation.
The importance of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5°C was strongly emphasized at the summit. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in his opening address, stated, “With the current trajectory, global temperature rise continues, and exceeding the 1.5-degree threshold is an unacceptable risk.”
COP29 President and Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, Muhtar Babayev, called in his speech for the fulfillment of climate finance commitments. Referring to the Baku Finance Target adopted at COP29 last year, Babayev reiterated, “The deadline is nearly here. Therefore, developed countries must seize every opportunity to close the gap. These were collective agreements, but their implementation depends on the individual actions of each country.”
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, stated that the target of 1.3 trillion US dollars annually in climate finance by 2035 is both achievable and necessary. He also announced that the Alliance of Energy Service Companies for Net Zero has raised its annual investment target for energy transition to 148 billion US dollars, aiming to exceed 1 trillion US dollars in total by 2030.
The summit also addressed the phase-out of fossil fuels and the transition to clean energy. How to ensure that this transition is carried out in a “fair and orderly” manner became a major point of negotiation among countries. Sessions emphasized the need for countries to triple renewable energy capacity from current levels, double energy efficiency, and accelerate climate finance.
According to United Nations data, climate-related natural disasters caused the displacement of 45 million people within their own countries and economic losses exceeding 240 billion US dollars as of 2024. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) called for international cooperation to support millions affected by floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
Additionally, it was announced that during COP30, the number of countries with multi-hazard early warning systems reached 119. At the summit held in the Amazon region, issues such as deforestation, biodiversity, and the protection of natural carbon sinks also came to the forefront. In particular, the role of the Amazon rainforests in the global climate system emerged as one of the central topics of the negotiations.
Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Combating Disinformation
Under COP30, an international initiative was launched to combat disinformation and denialism regarding climate change. The document, announced as the “Declaration for Information Integrity on Climate Change”, was opened for signature on 14 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.
The declaration was prepared in collaboration with the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the European Commission. Its purpose is to prevent the spread of misinformation in climate science, strengthen the credibility of data presented to the public, and support science-based decision-making processes.
During the launch ceremony of the declaration, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said, “We have passed through a dark period in which scientific evidence has been rejected.” Lula da Silva noted that disinformation campaigns during this period have delayed climate action and eroded public trust.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized that the declaration is critical for establishing a knowledge-based structure for climate action. It was also noted that the signatories of the declaration include media organizations, governments, research institutions, and technology companies. The document calls on participating countries to promote “transparent data sharing, monitoring of online misinformation, and the development of verification mechanisms.”
The key principles highlighted in the declaration are as follows:
- Ensuring open access to climate data,
- Enabling scientists to work without threat or pressure,
- Developing AI-based systems to detect misinformation on social media platforms,
- Establishing truth verification networks between public institutions and the media.
The “Information Integrity Declaration” was endorsed by more than 70 countries during the second week of COP30 and has been recorded as the first joint statement in climate diplomacy to strengthen the principle of “scientific integrity.”
Energy Transition and Hydrogen Policies
At meetings held in Belém, Brazil, discussions focused on the development of a low-carbon hydrogen industry, the use of hydrogen in various sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and industry, and the financing of projects in this field.
COP30 President Andre Corrêa do Lago called on countries to invest in the production and supply chains of hydrogen and other sustainable fuels. Lago stated that hydrogen is a “versatile energy source with near-zero emissions.” These statements were made in conjunction with the announcement of the “Belém 4X Initiative,” which is described as a commitment to increase the use of alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels in climate change mitigation and to quadruple the production of sustainable fuels.
Technical presentations at the conference detailed hydrogen’s roles across different sectors. In the transportation sector, hydrogen fuel cells were highlighted for their advantages in long-range travel and rapid refueling for heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and trains. In the agricultural sector, hydrogen was presented as a clean fuel for tractors and harvesting machinery, as well as a low-carbon input for ammonia synthesis in fertilizer production. In industry, it was stated that replacing fossil fuels in high-temperature production processes contributes significantly to emission reductions.
The conference emphasized the need for a robust policy framework, financing mechanisms, and infrastructure investments to advance the hydrogen sector. Sessions noted that economic tools such as “incentives for green hydrogen production, carbon pricing, and tax credits” would accelerate sectoral growth. The establishment of production facilities, pipelines, storage systems, and distribution networks was identified as fundamental to building the hydrogen ecosystem’s infrastructure.
International cooperation, technology transfer, and harmonization of standards were also highlighted as key to reducing the currently high costs of hydrogen and establishing a reliable global hydrogen market. Activities related to the global hydrogen sector were documented in the conference reports. The European Union has allocated a total of €5.2 billion in public funding for large-scale hydrogen projects, with an additional €7 billion in private investment expected. Germany, France, and Italy have invested in hydrogen infrastructure, with Germany announcing plans to construct a €18.9 billion hydrogen pipeline network. For this investment, the KfW Development Bank has established a depreciation mechanism worth €24 billion.
Australia has focused on technology development and exports under its National Hydrogen Strategy. An agreement on hydrogen imports and exports has been reached between Australia and Germany. Japan is investing in fuel-cell vehicles as part of its vision for a “hydrogen society.” According to an OECD report, Japan has committed substantial funding over 15 years to liquid hydrogen supply chain projects. India has approved approximately €2.3 billion in public support for its “Green Hydrogen Mission” and aims to establish large-scale production and export capacity by 2030.
Türkiye aims to achieve an electrolyzer installed capacity of 2 gigawatts by 2030, 5 gigawatts by 2035, and 70 gigawatts by 2053 under its National Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. Türkiye is also conducting work on hydrogen injection into natural gas networks, developing domestic PEM electrolyzers capable of producing hydrogen at 99.9% purity, and producing hydrogen through coal gasification under the auspices of the Türkiye Coal Enterprises Institution.
Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples Policies and New Land Designations
During COP30, the Brazilian government announced the designation of new indigenous territories. This decision was revealed during a special session titled “Indigenous Peoples Day.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, speaking at the event in Belém, stated, “Today we are designating seven new indigenous areas.” Lula da Silva emphasized that this decision was taken to protect the Amazon rainforest and secure the living territories of Indigenous peoples. The newly designated areas were named Apyterewa II, Kariri-Xocó, Tremembé do Engenho, Potiguara de Monte-Mor, Pataxó da Jaqueira, Guarani Mbya do Rio Pequeno, and Munduruku do Planalto.
These seven regions cover a total area of approximately 1.2 million hectares. According to official data from the Brazilian government, the total area of recognized indigenous territories in the country amounts to 117.4 million hectares, representing approximately 13.8% of the nation’s land.
During the announcement, representatives of indigenous communities and civil society organizations were also present at the event. At the event, in addition to Lula da Silva, Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sônia Guajajara delivered a speech. Guajajara stated, “This decision provides legal assurance to indigenous peoples’ lands.”
Before COP30, the Brazilian government had officially recognized a total of 16 indigenous regions in 2023 and 2024. With the addition of the newly announced regions under COP30, the total number of recognized indigenous territories during Lula’s administration has risen to 23. Indigenous representatives have viewed the holding of COP30 in Belém as “a symbolic step for the protection of the Amazon and indigenous rights.” The declaration of indigenous territories in Brazil is carried out under the 1988 Constitution, which guarantees indigenous peoples’ constitutional right to protect their cultural identity and territories.
Second Week of the Summit (17–21 November 2025)
The second week of COP30, from 17 to 21 November 2025, was marked by intensified high-level political sessions and negotiations. During this phase, discussions focused on climate finance, fossil fuel phase-out plans, energy transition, and just transition policies.
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell, declared at the opening of the second week, “The era of performance diplomacy is over,” urging countries to move from commitments to implementation.
According to a statement released by UN News, Stiell added in his speech, “There is no time left for tactical delays.” This statement was made as COP30’s closing decisions were being prepared.
During the same session, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, highlighted the debt burden facing developing countries in relation to climate finance, stating, “The poorest countries pay $1.4 trillion annually in debt service.”
COP30 President Andre Corrêa do Lago, at a press conference on the first day of the second week, announced that two decision packages were being worked on: one to continue ongoing negotiations and another to establish new agenda items. Lago said, “We are working on two packages: one to conclude pending issues and the other to build a new framework for climate governance.”
One of the key documents discussed during the second week was the “Belém Commitment”. This document expands on the financial pledges made at COP29 in Baku in 2024 and aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 from public and private sources.
In addition, the “Belém 4X Initiative” announced during COP30 aims to quadruple renewable energy production and expand the use of sustainable fuels. It was also reported that over 70,000 people participated in the “Global Climate Justice March” held during the second week. The march included civil society organizations, indigenous communities, and youth representatives. Following Stiell’s speech, negotiations continued on climate finance, loss and damage funding, fossil fuel phase-out plans, and strengthening of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Diplomatic Tensions and Disagreements
In the final days of COP30, significant disagreements emerged among countries over fossil fuel phase-out plans and climate finance commitments. No consensus was reached during negotiations, and no early climate agreement was adopted under COP30.
At the summit, with participation from approximately 200 countries, intensive negotiations took place on the fossil fuel phase-out process, climate finance, and closing the gap in emissions reductions. However, persistent differences remained among countries, particularly regarding the “fossil fuel roadmap.”
According to The Guardian, at least 29 countries wrote to the Brazilian presidency stating, “We cannot support a result that does not include a roadmap for a fair, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.” Countries that signed the letter include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Vanuatu.
The countries have indicated that they will block the agreement if the final outcome document of COP30 does not include a commitment to completely phase out fossil fuels. The same document includes the statement: “Anything less will inevitably be seen as a step backward.”
In contrast, some countries — particularly Saudi Arabia, Russia and India — have opposed defining the transition away from fossil fuels with a “binding timeline.” Additionally, during the summit, Türkiye and Australia reached an agreement on hosting the COP31 Conference in 2026. As a result of the agreement with Australia, Türkiye has been deemed suitable to host COP31.
Negotiations were temporarily suspended following a fire incident, but it was decided to extend the closing sessions. During this period, discussions continued on the fossil fuel phase-out roadmap, loss and damage financing, and strengthening nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Türkiye’s Participation and Statements
Türkiye participated in the COP30 conference with a delegation led by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum. On 18 November 2025, Minister Kurum publicly announced Türkiye’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
Minister Kurum stated that Türkiye aims to reduce its emissions by 47 percent compared to 2015 levels, bringing them down to 643 million tons by 2035. In his statement, he used the phrase: “Türkiye has adopted a 643 million ton emissions target by 2035.”
Türkiye’s net zero by 2053 target was reiterated within the framework of national commitments at COP30. In line with this goal, national strategies are being implemented in areas such as energy transition, green finance, waste management, and expansion of carbon sinks.
In his statements during COP30 sessions, Minister Kurum affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to an equitable climate struggle. The official statement reads: “Türkiye supports an equitable climate struggle and equitable conference principles.” During the summit, the Türkiye delegation held bilateral meetings with representatives from Brazil, Azerbaijan, Germany and Australia. Discussions covered carbon markets, green hydrogen production, renewable energy investments and the COP31 process.
The Türkiye delegation also participated in the Ministerial Forum on Energy Transition held during COP30. At the forum, Türkiye shared information on its green hydrogen strategy, national carbon pricing system and plans for integration into carbon markets.
