High prices and risk of exclusion from poor countries lights international alert a few months from the conference in Belém
It was charged from the Brazilian government a formal position on the accommodation conditions of November, in Belém do Pará. The pressure came after an emergency meeting held this week in Bonn, Germany, where representatives from African countries reported that they will not be able to participate in the climate conference for lack of affordable hosting. According to reports, hotels and rented houses are charging values up to five times above the maximum permitted per day for UN delegations, which is $ 149. There are price records reaching $ 700 a night, incompatible with the presence of developing countries. The UN has given Brazil a period of up to 11 August to present an action plan that guarantees accessible and secure accommodation to all delegations. The Brazilian government, through Itamaraty and the Ministry of Tourism, claims to have mapped more than 30,000 accommodations, exceeding the minimum requirement of 20 thousand. The plan includes from hotels to the use of backwards moved in Belém, with a capacity of about six thousand people, as well as adapted residences and school housing. The proposal also provides that prices for delegations from more vulnerable countries will be between $ 100 and 220 a day, with logistical support. Nevertheless, experts warn that the total number of available beds can still be insufficient for expected demand, which should exceed 45,000 people, adding delegations, press, civil society and indigenous leaders. The president of COP30, Ambassador, publicly acknowledged that the prices charged in the city are “embarrassing” and defended more transparency and responsibility of those involved in the local organization. According to him, the event in the Amazon is symbolic and should leave a legacy for the population, and not just generate immediate profit.
The controversy on accommodation exposes a structural fragility in the conference in a capital that still faces deficiencies in infrastructure, mobility and hotel network. Although the choice of strategic – for its symbolic value in climate struggle – there are reports of real estate speculation and abusive price increase, including short rental platforms. The situation already worries NGOs, social collectives and representatives of African, Asian and Latin America countries, which may have their participation compromised due to lack of resources. COP30 will be the largest climate conference ever held in Brazil and a global landmark in discussions on climate financing, environmental justice and losses and damage. The presence of the countries most affected by the climate crisis is critical. Without a solid logistics and reception plan, Brazil runs the risk of frustrating the expectations of the international community and compromising the principle of inclusion that should guide negotiations. Less than five months from the beginning of the event, UN collection is clear: the country needs to act fast to ensure that everyone takes place at the table.
