Bel©m: During this week’s climate conference, the South African government will advocate for the implementation of the US$1.3 trillion in climate finance pledged to developing countries last year. South Africa’s delegation will also prioritize finalizing the Global Goal on Adaptation through the Bel©m Work Programme and ensuring the Loss and Damage Fund supports the most vulnerable.
According to South African Government News Agency, South Africa’s delegation to the 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Bel©m, Brazil, will be led by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George. “COP30 must deliver real outcomes for people and the planet. This is the time for the world to act. Every decision in Bel©m must come with a clear plan for implementation, financing, and accountability. People and communities living with the daily reality of climate change cannot wait any longer,” the Minister stated on Monday.
The conference will gather leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to address the defining challenge of this era from 10 to 21 November 2025. COP30 will emphasize the race to keep global warming below 1.5°C, unveil new national climate plans (NDCs), and assess progress on crucial finance commitments made at COP29. With global temperatures reaching record highs and extreme weather reshaping lives worldwide, the stakes could not be higher, the department noted.
Minister George will co-chair negotiations for the adaptation stream at COP30 alongside Jochen Flasbarth, German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development. Adaptation is vital for protecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems in a world already experiencing the effects of climate change. “Adaptation is about building resilience. It is how we prepare for the storms, droughts, and rising seas that are already reshaping our world,” the Minister emphasized.
These negotiations aim to establish a set of global indicators to measure real progress on adaptation. “We must be able to track our success and hold ourselves accountable. Without measurable results, there can be no credibility,” George asserted. He warned that global cooperation is under pressure but reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to working through multilateralism. “No nation can face this crisis alone. Together we can find solutions that are fair, practical, and lasting,” the Minister concluded.