Brazil Vows Inclusive Access to COP30 in Belem Despite Accommodation Concerns

Brazil on Wednesday sought to reassure nations and civil society groups that enough accommodations will be available for the tens of thousands expected to attend the upcoming United Nations climate summit (COP30) in Belem this November, even as the current listings fall short of earlier projections.

Valter Correia, Brazil’s special secretary for the summit, acknowledged concerns voiced by developing nations and island states during recent talks in Bonn, Germany, where representatives warned that soaring hotel prices in Belem could effectively exclude them from participating.

“We are guaranteeing that everyone can come at accessible prices,” Correia said. “Excluding small nations — those hit hardest by climate change — would be absolutely unthinkable.”

The Amazonian city of Belem was chosen to highlight the urgency of protecting the world’s rainforests. But civil society groups have warned that limited infrastructure and high lodging costs could hamper the summit’s accessibility, particularly for vulnerable countries and grassroots organizations.

Correia said officials have so far identified more than 30,000 available rooms, surpassing the 20,000-room requirement estimated by the United Nations to house delegations, media, and observers. However, the number still falls short of Brazil’s own earlier projection of 45,000 total attendees.

To close the gap, Correia said Belem would add capacity through private rentals, repurposed schools, and additional hotel offerings. He also noted that a new booking platform was launched this week with 1,500 rooms reserved specifically for representatives from 98 developing nations and island states, priced between $100 and $220 per night. An additional 1,000 rooms, priced up to $600, will soon be made available for all delegations, before the platform opens to the general public.

In a further move to expand capacity, Brazil has also signed contracts for 3,900 cruise ship cabins that will dock in Belem during the conference.

While Correia acknowledged that not all participants would receive subsidized prices, he said the government is working to curb price gouging and ensure fair access. “We’re doing everything we can to make COP30 inclusive,” he said, expressing confidence that civil society participants would also be able to secure adequate accommodations.

The UN climate change office (UNFCCC) declined to confirm Brazil’s updated accommodation estimates.