Brazil’s coastal Amazon city of Belem will host the COP30 climate summit in November 2025. However, skyrocketing hotel prices have raised concerns among delegations. The United Nations has urged its staff to reduce attendance due to limited affordable accommodations.
UN’s Request to Scale Back
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN climate secretariat (UNFCCC), addressed the issue in a recent document. “Given Belem’s capacity constraints, I kindly request UN system heads and agencies to review and reduce their delegation sizes for COP30,” he stated. The goal is to ease pressure on the city’s lodging resources.
Brazil’s Efforts and Challenges
Brazil’s COP30 presidency reaffirmed its commitment to provide 15 single rooms priced between $100 and $200 per night, aligning with past COP standards. The country is also working to nearly double hotel bed availability. However, some governments have pushed to relocate the summit due to costs, a proposal Brazilian officials rejected.
Calls for Higher Per Diem
Brazil supports increasing the UN per diem ceiling for Belem, currently $144. Delegates suggest aligning it with rates in cities like Rio de Janeiro ($229), São Paulo ($234), or Paraty ($435). This would help delegations manage expenses.
Struggles for Developing Nations
Developing countries face significant challenges with Belem’s high accommodation costs. At a recent meeting, the UNFCCC urged Brazil to subsidize rooms at $100 per day for the poorest nations and $400–$500 for others. Brazil, however, cited its substantial hosting costs. It offered poorer nations rooms capped at roughly $200 per night.
Upcoming Discussions
Representatives and UN officials will meet again this week to address the accommodation crisis. Nearly every government will attend COP30 to negotiate climate change strategies. Finding affordable lodging remains a critical hurdle.
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