By B.Nyamsuren

The United Nations’ annual global climate conference, COP30 is being held this year in Belém in the heart of the Amazon. 
It is the first COP ever hosted inside the rainforest, bringing new attention to forests and the communities that protect them. The location serves as a reminder that climate action is closely linked to the protection of nature and the people who depend on it. Delegates from almost 200 countries are attending COP30 talks, which runs from 10th -21st   November, 2025. 

During the opening session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is still not on track to stay below the 1.5°C warming limit, calling this situation a “moral failure” and urging countries to take faster action.
The first week of COP30 focused mainly on climate finance. Developing countries said they need greater support to deal with climate impacts and move toward cleaner energy. Discussions centered on expanding global climate finance from USD 300 billion to USD 1.3 trillion by 2035. Brazil also presented its “Tropical Forest Forever Facility,” which aims to create long-term funding to help rainforest countries protect their forests.
Because the summit is taking place in the Amazon, Indigenous voices were more prominent than ever. Representatives from across the region spoke about land rights, community safety and the need to stop illegal logging and mining. Environmental groups emphasized that protecting the Amazon is essential for global climate stability. On the streets, protesters carrying signs "our forests are not for sale" broke through security lines of the COP30 climate talks on Tuesday night. United Nation’s authorities told BBC News that the incident caused minor injuries to two security staff, in addition to limited damage to the venue.

Another key topic was Brazil’s idea for a more coordinated global carbon market. The proposal includes possible border rules requiring imported goods to show their carbon emissions. Countries noted that this system, if created, could influence future trade and climate planning.
A major development at COP30 came from the media sector. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced that governments agreed to a new declaration on the safety and working conditions of journalists who report on climate and environmental issues. This is the first time such a document has been adopted at a COP. The declaration stresses that journalists must be able to work safely, have access to accurate information and be protected from threats and misinformation. 
The move highlights the growing understanding that climate action depends on clear, trustworthy and independent information. Ensuring a safe working environment for journalists is becoming part of the global climate effort.
As COP30 enters its second week, countries are expected to continue talks on climate finance, forest protection and carbon-market rules. Observers also expect more governments to support the new declaration on press freedom. The decisions made in Belém may shape how the world responds to climate change in the coming years, and the Amazon remains a powerful symbol of what must be protected.

Source: Zuuniimedee newspaper 2025.11.07 № 211 (7708), Friday.