As the world shifts focus to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled for November 10-21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, a coalition of African and global civil society organisations has expressed solidarity with the Brazilian government and called for greater civic participation at the conference.
The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) Network, alongside its partners the Global Civil Society Consortium on Climate Change and Conference of Parties (GCSCCC), and the African Network of Civil Society Organizations (ANCSO) issued a joint statement congratulating Brazil and the COP30 Presidency, pledging support for what they hope will be a landmark event in the global climate justice movement.
Reflecting on the recently concluded COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the coalition praised the organisational excellence of the Azerbaijani government, describing it as “exceeding expectations.”
The AHOA and its partners played a significant role at COP29, hosting global civil society engagements and advocating for a unified NGO voice on climate issues.
The coalition noted that Brazil is expected to build on the gains of COP29 by strengthening inclusivity and civic engagement, especially as COP30 coincides with two major climate milestones ten years after the Paris Agreement and twenty years after the Kyoto Protocol.
Spotlight on the Amazon and Indigenous Knowledge
The coalition emphasised the strategic importance of Brazil’s Amazon region, which will host COP30 in Belém.
“This venue is not just symbolic but central to the global climate dialogue,” the statement read, highlighting the Amazon’s role in biodiversity preservation and its vulnerability to deforestation and climate-induced degradation.
The groups further stressed the importance of recognising and integrating the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities in climate solutions.
“COP30 must acknowledge indigenous peoples not just as stakeholders, but as knowledge-holders and co-creators of solutions,” the statement added.
Call for Wider Civic Space
The coalition called on the Brazilian government and all UNFCCC parties to ensure inclusive, transparent, and participatory processes before, during, and after the conference.
They urged for the protection of fundamental freedoms expression, assembly, and digital rights and demanded fair visa policies, equitable funding access, and support for vulnerable groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and communities from nations most affected by climate change.
The statement said the call for unity among NGOs and the push for an accessible civic space represent a growing demand for people-centred climate action on the global stage.
“The voices of those suffering the worst impacts of climate change must be present at the negotiation table,” the coalition stated, advocating for affordable and non-discriminatory processes that allow marginalised communities to participate effectively.
Africa’s Shared Climate Journey
AHOA and its partners drew parallels between the Amazon’s ecological significance and Africa’s own climate challenges ranging from land degradation to displacement due to extreme weather.
They expressed hope that COP30 will prioritise nature-based solutions and biodiversity conservation while reaffirming their support for the Brazilian Presidency and the UNFCCC process.
“We are united by shared values, struggles, and a commitment to just transition,” the statement concluded.
As momentum builds toward COP30, the coalition has pledged to continue mobilising civil society across Africa and globally to ensure that the conference delivers a more inclusive, just, and impactful outcome.
Editor’s Note: COP30 will take place from 10–21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. It marks a critical turning point in global climate negotiations, with high expectations on climate finance, loss and damage, and the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.
By Dare Akogun
