As global leaders prepare to convene in Belém for COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, has issued a powerful call to action: countries must deliver a rapid surge in climate finance to support vulnerable nations facing escalating climate threats.
With extreme weather events intensifying—from catastrophic floods to prolonged droughts—developing nations remain critically under-resourced to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Speaking ahead of the summit, Stiell emphasized that “finance must flow right now”, warning that delays in funding could jeopardize global efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The upcoming COP30 summit, hosted in the Brazilian city of Belém, is widely seen as a pivotal moment for translating climate pledges into tangible action. Delegates will assess progress under the Global Stocktake (GST), a key mechanism of the Paris Agreement that evaluates collective efforts to limit global warming. However, many nations—particularly in the Global South—have voiced concern that dialogue alone is insufficient without financial backing.
India’s Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, echoed this sentiment during pre-COP30 meetings, urging the international community to prioritize resource mobilization for developing countries. “Dialogue is important, but action is imperative,” Yadav stated. “We must now focus on implementing ambitious climate measures and, above all, addressing the most pressing challenge: the urgent lack of resources for adaptation and mitigation.”
The UNFCCC is calling on donor countries to fulfill and expand their climate finance commitments made at COP29, ensuring that funds are accessible, predictable, and equitable. This includes support for clean energy transitions, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based solutions in regions most affected by climate change.