Brussels (TDI): This year’s annual climate summit, COP30, is being hosted by Brazil in November, in the rainforest city of Belem but the high accommodation costs have put the United Nations Climate Bureau in a fix.
Reuters has reported that an emergency meeting of the Bureau was convened on Tuesday, while Brazil has promised to resolve the matter by August 11.
Low income economies are at risk of being left out if the logistics are not made friendly and affordable. Countries have already warned that high accommodation costs in Belem mean their participation will be difficult.
The costs are particularly soaring high because of a shortage of rooms. Brazil has assured the UN body that it will address the concerns of the countries and come back with a report on August 11.
The UN’s emergency meeting was called by the African Group of Negotiators. The chair of the group told Reuters after the meeting: “We were assured that we will revisit that on the 11th, to get assurances on whether the accommodation will be adequate for all delegates.”
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“We are not ready to cut down the numbers. Brazil has got a lot of options in terms of having a better COP, a good COP. So that is why we are pushing that Brazil has to provide better answers, rather than telling us to limit our delegation,” the chair added.
In addition to the African Group, similar complaints regarding high cost of accommodation and a possible risk of cutting down the size of delegations have also emerged from wealthy countries.
Officials from six governments, including wealthier European nations, told Reuters they had not yet secured accommodation because of high prices, and some said they were preparing to reduce their participation.
45,000 people are expected in Belem for the COP30 summit. The coastal city has a population of 1.3 million. 6000 extra beds are also being arranged by Brazil in two cruise ships.
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