Brazilian climate advocates have praised the appointment of veteran climate diplomat André Aranha Corrêa do Lago to lead this year’s COP30 UN climate summit in November, to be held in the Amazonian city of Belém.

The campaigners supported the decision by President Lula da Silva, stating that Corrêa do Lago is highly respected within the international climate community and possesses extensive knowledge of the multilateral process.

Head of international policy at Observatório do Clima, Claudio Angelo, was quoted by Climate Home News warning that Corrêa do Lago will need full backing from President Lula to advance the agenda in what is likely the most challenging year ever for climate diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Toya Manchineri from the Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon expressed cautious optimism about the appointment, noting that while it represents a positive step, it does not ensure the central role of Indigenous peoples in climate discussions.

"As a COP in the Amazon, it is essential that our voice, as the historical guardians of the forests, be at the centre of the debate," Manchineri stated.

Corrêa do Lago has always emphasized the significant expectations placed on Brazil due to its historical role in shaping the global climate agenda. He noted to have said that, it is going to be an extremely intense year of action to ensure that COP30 brings the best possible results.

COP30 will provide the first opportunity for countries to review the new round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs), offering a crucial assessment of global efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

He will be the fifth consecutive man and the 25th out of 30 total to serve as COP President. Ana Toni, the Secretary of Climate Change at Brazil’s environment ministry, will take on the role of COP30 CEO and Executive Director, while environment minister Marina Silva will not hold a formal position at the summit.

Corrêa do Lago's appointment came just one day after US President Donald Trump initiated the process of withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement on his first day in office. However, since the withdrawal process takes a year, experts say the US will still participate in COP30 and has not yet indicated plans to leave the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

About Correa do Lago

Corrêa do Lago was Brazil's ambassador to India and Japan, served as the Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at Brazil’s foreign ministry and as Brazil’s chief climate negotiator since 2023, following President Lula da Silva's return to power.

He had previously held the same position from 2011 to 2013 and has been involved in sustainable development issues since 2001.