UN Cites Failures and Demands More Security at COP30 in Letter to Lula's Government

The United Nations (UN) has criticized the organization of COP30, the climate change conference held in Belem (Para), pointing to infrastructure and security failures and demanding that the Brazilian government address the problems immediately. In a document sent to Minister Rui Costa (Chief of Staff) and Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago (President of COP30), Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC (the UNs climate arm), listed "urgent concerns." The main complaint concerns security failures that allowed protesters to break through barricades and reach the entrance to the Blue Zone, the area reserved for diplomatic negotiations. The letter states that Brazilian authorities "failed to act or follow the agreed security plan," which represents a "serious breach." In addition, the document complains that infrastructure conditions are "well below agreed standards," citing inadequate air conditioning, high temperatures, flooding of parts of the structure due to rain, and poor-quality restrooms and offices causing "considerable discomfort and reputational concern." In response, the Chief of Staffs office said it has been addressing all demands, including the "repositioning and reinforcement of security forces" and the "air-conditioning of facilities." Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago stated that the concerns had been "completely resolved," calling the issue "a non-problem now."