UN Urges Delegations to Limit Attendance at Cop30 Amid Soaring Hotel Costs in Brazil

The United Nations has advised its staff to reduce the size of delegations attending the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil this November, citing skyrocketing accommodation costs. Meanwhile, government delegations are struggling to secure rooms within budget in the Amazon coastal city of Belém, the summit’s host location.

Brazil has pledged to increase hotel availability, but rapidly rising prices have prompted some governments to suggest relocating the conference—a proposal Brazilian officials have firmly rejected.

“In view of the capacity constraints in Belém, I kindly request that heads of UN agencies and relevant organizations review the size of their delegations and reduce numbers where possible,” said Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Climate Secretariat, in a document posted on the UN website.

Brazil’s Cop30 presidency confirmed it will provide 15 single rooms at reduced rates for poorer countries. However, developing nations warn that most cannot afford the steep costs, raising concerns about equitable participation.

Media outlets and civil society groups are also considering scaling back or abandoning coverage due to accommodation expenses. Organizers have been cautioned that without effective solutions, Cop30 risks becoming “the least inclusive summit ever.”

During a recent meeting between country representatives and UN officials, the UN urged Brazil to subsidize hotel prices, targeting $100 per night for delegates from the world’s poorest countries and $400–$500 for others. Miriam Belchior, executive secretary to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s chief of staff, said Brazil is already incurring significant hosting costs and cannot provide additional subsidies.

Officials and country representatives are set to reconvene this week to discuss potential solutions to the accommodation crunch.