United Nations in China and Embassy of Brazil Co-Host Seminar on Advancing Climate Action and Finance Ahead COP30 in Belém

The seminar served as a critical platform for exploring how the world can move from climate commitments to concrete action, particularly in scaling up finance for climate mitigation and adaptation. With climate impacts accelerating globally, the seminar emphasized the urgency of aligning new Nationally Determined Contributions with tangible outcomes for communities, economies, and the environment.

Opening the session, His Excellency Mr. Marcos Galvão, Ambassador of Brazil to China, highlighted Brazil’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementations of COP30. He underscored that: “A successful COP will be crucial, especially at this particular moment in time, as we struggle to address the challenges that multilateralism is facing. We need to communicate clearly and show people the relevance of what we are doing.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Zhang Zhixiang, Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee of the International Cooperation Center and Chairman of the International Monetary Research Committee, underscored the urgency of collective global action on climate change. He called for governance based on fairness, common but differentiated responsibilities, and deepened cooperation; innovative climate finance, and strengthened multilateralism to ensure sustainable development and a successful COP30, noting: “Only through collaborative efforts can we achieve sustainable global climate development and create a better future for generations to come.”

During the keynote session, Ms. Ana Toni, Chief Executive Officer of COP30, stressed that the conference must strengthen multilateralism, advance adaptation, and mobilize sufficient climate finance, with Brazil, China, and global partners driving collective action to turn commitments into results. She noted: “Our greatest goal is to make COP30 a platform for implementation.”

Ms. Chang Yunge, a 16-year-old youth climate advocate, shared how personal experiences with environmental change inspired her to take action on climate issues, and urged global leaders at COP to prioritize children in climate finance, recognize youth action, and invest in a safer, more sustainable future. She stated: “For us, COP is not just about global policies written on paper. It is about turning our vulnerability into urgency, our small actions into systematic change and securing resources and recognition we need to build a clean, healthy and safe future.”

Ms. Beate Trankmann, UNDP Resident Representative in China, stressed that COP30 represents a pivotal opportunity to turn commitments into action through ambition, financing, and implementation, with China and global partners playing key roles. She noted: “The pathway from Baku to Belém is not just about bigger numbers; it is about aligning systems so that climate action and UN human development reinforce each other.”

The panel brought together ambassadors, experts, and civil society leaders from across regions and sectors. They discussed the barriers developing countries face in accessing climate finance, including high borrowing costs, unmet commitments, and insufficient adaptation funding. Panelists emphasized the need for stronger institutions, greater transparency, and fairer allocation, particularly for vulnerable groups and least developed countries. 

The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, who emphasized that this partnership unites UN members, governments, the private sector, and institutions in a shared commitment to protecting our planet. He said: “China’s leadership, together with Brazil, in terms of moving the climate agenda forward, is absolutely critical.”