Construction still in progress in Belem as Brazil readies to host COP30

Heads of state are due to start arriving in the Amazonian city of Belém in a month’s time for the United Nations climate summit, yet much of the infrastructure intended to welcome them remains incomplete.

Next to what has been called the “leaders’ village” — a collection of low-rise buildings that will accommodate many visiting presidents — stands another three-storey structure that is still far from finished.

The building’s white, glass-fronted façade topped with a helipad overlooks the complex that will host the 197-nation climate summit known as COP30. However, behind it, away from the main road, the rear remains a bare shell of concrete and exposed brick.

The government of Pará state has stated that it does not regard the unfinished structure as part of the leaders’ village or the broader public works programme for COP30, although it confirmed that the helipad “will be made available to meet the needs of the conference.”

Nevertheless, the active construction site reflects the city’s frantic final push in the remaining month before the summit.

According to the state government, more than 30 public works projects — worth 4.5 billion reais (£700 million) — are progressing on schedule. These include new roads, drainage channels, parks, and refurbished tourist attractions.

The noise of construction echoes through Belém’s international airport and its hotels, several of which are still under construction ahead of the event.

Work is also continuing on a pier designed to host large cruise ships that will provide thousands of additional berths for visiting delegations. Another terminal intended to receive “floating hotels” was supposed to open in July but was only 79% complete as of last month.

With a shortage of hotel rooms pushing prices to record highs, delegations have been forced to get creative with accommodation plans, fuelling friction between diplomats, U.N. organisers, and the Brazilian government.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brushed aside concerns during a recent visit to Belém.

“I’m going to want to sleep on a boat,” he joked during a local television interview. “We don’t have the boat yet, but I’ll find one.”

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