Brazil Assures Adequate Accommodation Ahead of COP30 in Belem Amid Concerns Over Capacity

 Brasília, July 17 — With global attention turning to the Amazonian city of Belem for this November’s United Nations Climate Summit (COP30), Brazilian officials on Wednesday sought to reassure governments and civil society groups that sufficient accommodations will be available to meet expected demand — despite earlier projections suggesting a shortfall.

Officials emphasized that more than 30,000 rooms have already been identified in and around Belem, exceeding the 20,000-room requirement estimated by UN organizers to host official delegations, journalists, and observers. The summit is expected to draw approximately 45,000 participants.

“What we are guaranteeing is that everyone can come at accessible prices,” said COP30 Executive Secretary and Brazilian representative, Márcio Correia. “Excluding small and vulnerable nations — the ones that suffer most from the impacts of climate change — would be unthinkable.”

Environmental advocates had long anticipated Brazil’s turn to host the summit, particularly after recent years saw the event held in countries where public demonstrations were tightly controlled. Brazil’s selection of Belem — a gateway to the Amazon rainforest — was intended to spotlight the urgency of protecting the planet’s rapidly vanishing tropical forests. However, the choice also raised logistical concerns due to the city’s limited hospitality infrastructure.

To address the gap, Correia outlined a multi-pronged approach. In addition to expanding hotel availability and converting schools and private residences into temporary lodging, the government has contracted two cruise ships to dock in Belem’s port, providing an additional 3,900 cabins for COP attendees.

In a move to support equitable participation, particularly for nations from the Global South, Brazil has launched a dedicated accommodation booking platform offering 1,500 rooms priced between $100 and $220 per night for a coalition of 98 developing countries and island states. The portal will soon add 1,000 more rooms open to all delegations, with upper-tier options priced up to $600. The platform will later be made available to the broader public.

While the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has not yet confirmed room count estimates, Brazilian officials remain confident that demand will be met through a combination of public-private coordination and alternative housing strategies.

Correia acknowledged that while efforts are underway to curb price gouging, full control over pricing remains a challenge. “We may not be able to offer low-cost rooms to everyone, but we are working to ensure that no one is left behind,” he added.

As COP30 approaches, the success of these logistical efforts will be critical in determining the inclusivity and effectiveness of the summit — particularly for grassroots organizations and smaller delegations seeking a voice in shaping the global climate agenda.