In its fifth message to the international community, the Brazilian Presidency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP-30) called for renewed focus on people as the foundation of global climate action and for the revival of the spirit of the UN Charter. It emphasized that “climate action is not merely a scientific or technical challenge – it is a profoundly human one.”

The COP-30 Presidency urged world leaders and negotiators to recognize that those most affected by climate change, including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, rural and coastal communities, migrants and the marginalized, are not passive victims, but rather leaders and activists in resilience, knowledge, and innovation. The message underscored that the lived experiences of these groups, their inherited wisdom and their models of mutual care must guide the global climate response.

The Presidency stressed in its fifth message that “climate action must begin and end with people,” noting that mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology are only means to address structural inequalities, eradicate poverty, protect human rights and improve quality of life.

The COP-30 Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to placing people at the center of the conference’s work through:

• Global mobilization: Engaging communities worldwide through initiatives such as the People’s Circle and the Youth Climate Champion initiative.
• Formal UNFCCC negotiations: Advancing people-centered priorities such as the Global Goal on Adaptation, Just Transition, the Gender Action Plan, and the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform.
• Action Agenda: Aligning the six thematic areas with the Sustainable Development Goals to reinforce solidarity and accountability in climate action.
• Leaders’ Summit: Providing a platform for leaders to deliberate and present solutions that link the climate system with people’s real lives.

The Brazilian Presidency described COP-30, the world’s foremost annual climate event, as a “rite of passage,” calling on the world to mourn the losses caused by climate change while embracing a new model of sustainable development rooted in empathy, compassion, and solidarity.

André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, the President-designate of COP-30, urged the international community to “change consciously, together,” affirming that climate justice and resilience will only be achieved when vulnerable and marginalized communities are recognized as central actors in shaping the future.

With COP-30 set to take place in Belém, Brazil, at the heart of the Amazon, it is expected to mark a historic milestone that highlights the leadership of communities long excluded from decision-making and pushes forward the urgent implementation of the Paris Agreement. In this context, the Presidency made clear that the measure of success will not be abstract negotiations but rather tangible improvements in people’s lives around the world.