World leaders gather in Belém for the COP30 opening ceremony. — Courtesy: Foto Sergio Moraes/COP30
By Daisy Okiring
NAIROBI, Kenya: Can the world’s poorest survive the next decade of climate shocks?
As COP30 opened in Belém, Brazil, world leaders signed the landmark Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and People-Centred Climate Action, vowing to shield vulnerable populations from deepening environmental and economic crises.
The declaration urges governments to boost global climate finance to at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, anchoring food security and poverty reduction as central pillars of funding strategies.
Protecting the Vulnerable
Delegates agreed that adaptation—not just emission cuts—must now drive global climate action.
The declaration highlights the disproportionate burden climate impacts place on people already living in poverty, especially in fragile or conflict-affected regions.
It calls for expanding social protection systems, with nearly half the global population still lacking access. These adaptive safety nets should respond rapidly to crises and link with early warning mechanisms and disaster preparedness.
Read More: G20 urges Africa to boost trade and sustainable farming
Backing Small-Scale Producers
The declaration commits to supporting small-scale food producers—farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, and indigenous groups—who remain at the frontline of the climate crisis.
Leaders called for greater investment in climate-resilient agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, and financial systems that can help communities adapt while maintaining sustainable livelihoods.
Forests, Ecosystems, and Just Transitions
Countries pledged to ensure that climate transitions are fair, particularly in high-forest and ecologically sensitive regions.
This includes promoting agroforestry, bioeconomy projects, and ecotourism that generate income while protecting forests and community land rights.
“Protecting forests is inseparable from supporting the people who depend on them,” reads the declaration.
Read More: Rising heat: UNEP warns global cooling demand could triple
Financing Climate Justice
The signatories renewed calls for the international community to fulfill previous promises under the New Collective Quantified Goal—mobilizing at least $300 billion annually for developing nations by 2035.
They also demanded that climate finance be scaled up equitably and directed toward community-led projects.
With forecasts indicating that 60 percent of the world’s poorest will live in unstable regions by 2030, leaders agreed that funding must reach those most exposed to climate disasters.
Looking Ahead
The summit continues in Belém through November 21, with negotiations expected to center on financing frameworks, adaptation timelines, and national commitments.
Observers say the declaration marks a shift from global rhetoric to localized resilience—though success will depend on whether wealthier nations meet their financial promises.
About the Author
