COP30 Reaches Climax as Delegates Push for Crucial Agreement
The final day of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, has arrived, with exhausted delegates working against the clock to secure a global agreement. The closing plenary is scheduled for 10am local time (1pm London time) on November 22, 2025, though organisers warn that timings remain fluid as last-minute negotiations continue.
Key Stumbling Blocks and National Positions
Countries remain significantly divided on the core issue of establishing a definitive roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels. The UK's Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, has asserted that a deal must be reached "one way or another," indicating a willingness to accept even a voluntary process. However, this stance is met with resistance; observers report that the Arab group of nations has issued a stark warning that any mention of phasing out fossil fuels in the final text could cause the entire talks to collapse.
Amid the tension, Laurence Tubiana, the architect of the Paris climate agreement, has urged countries not to shy away from pursuing a strong deal. A representative from a climate-vulnerable nation expressed profound frustration, stating, "Sometimes it’s like we are arguing with robots."
In a separate development, the details for next year's COP31 summit have been agreed. The event will be hosted in Turkey, which will assume the presidency. Australia's Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, will be appointed vice-president and "president of negotiations."
The Finance Question and Leadership Under Pressure
A critical point of contention remains climate finance. African governments are persistently advocating for a tripling of financial support from wealthy nations to help poorer countries adapt to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis.
All eyes are now on COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago and his negotiating team. Photographed whispering into his phone just hours before the planned finale, the pressure is on for him to thread the needle and broker a compromise that can satisfy all parties. With delegate energy waning and return flights looming, the world waits to see if a historic agreement can be forged in Belem.
