Belém COP30 Faces Logistical Hurdles Amid Construction Delays and Lodging Shortages

Preparations for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to take place in Belém, Pará, Brazil, in November 2025, are encountering significant logistical and infrastructural challenges. The core event is slated to run from November 10 to 21, 2025, preceded by an anticipated Leaders' Summit on November 6 and 7. The primary venue for the international proceedings, encompassing both the Blue and Green Zones, is the Parque da Cidade, situated within the Amazon region, which underscores the environmental focus of the conference. This summit follows COP29, where key financing commitments were established, progress on which delegates will scrutinize as the meeting aims to present new National Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

A major disruption stems from a civil construction strike that began in September 2025, directly impeding the development of essential facilities required for the conference. This labor action has reportedly caused delays affecting approximately 60% of one section of the 'Vila dos Líderes,' or Leaders' Village, while other construction segments have experienced temporary work stoppages. The timely completion of this infrastructure is paramount, as the Leaders' Village is designated for high-profile attendees during the initial summit days. Brazil, as the host nation, remains focused on resolving these operational risks to ensure the conference can pivot toward substantive climate progress.

Compounding the infrastructural challenges is a severe deficit in local accommodation capacity, raising concerns about accessibility for various participants. Belém requires an estimated 50,000 beds to adequately host the expected influx of world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society representatives. Current local capacity is reported to be only between 14,000 and 18,000 available rooms. This scarcity has driven daily hotel rates to levels cited between 2,000 and 4,000 euros, presenting a potential barrier to affordable lodging for delegations from developing nations and smaller organizations.

Furthermore, the heightened security requirements for an event of this global magnitude are adding another layer of complexity. The Governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, has formally requested the federal government to implement a Guarantee of Law and Order (GLO) decree for the duration of COP30. This request signals significant security demands associated with hosting numerous international dignitaries in the Amazon region. These converging issues—labor disputes impacting critical infrastructure, a substantial shortfall in lodging leading to prohibitive costs, and elevated security concerns—present immediate operational risks that require rapid mitigation ahead of the November 2025 conference.