Brazil declares accommodation issues resolved ahead of COP30

The Brazilian government has responded to growing concerns over accommodation for participants of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, set to take place this November in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, in the city of Belém.

Valter Correia, Brazil’s special secretary for the summit, stated that nearly 30,000 rooms have already been identified in the city. While this surpasses the 20,000 rooms the UN initially deemed necessary, it still falls short of the 45,000 attendees Brazil had projected earlier this year.

“Our key commitment is to ensure that everyone can participate at accessible prices,” Correia told journalists. He stressed that it would be unacceptable for small island states and developing nations – often the hardest hit by climate change – to be excluded due to high costs.

Correia added that, in the coming months, additional accommodation would be made available through private homes, hotel rooms, and temporary facilities such as repurposed schools, in order to meet further demand.

The government has already launched a booking platform offering 1,500 rooms, priced between $100 and $220 per night, specifically for representatives from 98 developing countries and island nations. An additional 1,000 rooms will be added shortly, open to all delegations, with prices reaching up to $600 per night. The platform will later be made available to the general public.

Moreover, Brazil has signed contracts for two cruise ships, which will be docked in the port of Belém during the summit, offering a further 3,900 cabins as alternative accommodation.

By hosting COP30, Brazil aims not only to contribute to global climate discussions but also to draw international attention to the rapid deforestation of the world’s tropical rainforests.

It is worth noting that in recent months, environmental activists and civil society groups have raised alarms over limited lodging options and soaring prices in Belém. Correia acknowledged these concerns and noted that the government is actively working to prevent price gouging. However, he admitted that it would not be possible to offer low-cost accommodation for everyone.

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