The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) concluded on Saturday in Belem, Brazil, with a Belem Package of 29 decisions approved by consensus, demonstrating humanity's resolve to unite in the face of climate change.
The approved decisions include agreements on topics such as just transition, adaptation finance, trade, gender, and technology, renewing the collective commitment to accelerated action, and a climate regime more connected to people's lives. They include a commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035, emphasizing the need for developed countries to significantly boost climate finance for developing nations.
The COP30 delivered the Mutirao text, a sweeping deal that bundles four contentious negotiation tracks -- from mitigation to finance and trade barriers -- into a single, consensus-based agreement.
"I think it sends quite a clear signal that COP should not just be hosted by the rich countries, [but by] every country that is really committed to advancing climate action and to making sure that we attend to climate issues. [It sends a signal that] They should have an opportunity to host COP within the constraints of their national realities," said Mwanahamisi Singano, a Tanzanian delegate.
The conference, originally scheduled to close on Friday, was pushed into overtime as multiple parties failed to reach a consensus on several core agenda items.
The closing session held on Saturday was paused as well due to objections raised by several parties.
Andre Correa do Lago, COP30 president, appreciated China's role in promoting the negotiation and the country's contribution to the conference. "China and Brazil have similar goals, and the Chinese delegation played a key role in the negotiation. Additionally, the Chinese delegation also included a large number of entrepreneurs and scientists, and the China Pavilion was very active, which demonstrated that China attached great importance to this conference," he said.
The Mutirao agreement notes that rising trade barriers are limiting the use of clean-energy technologies, and calls on climate bodies to assess how to make international trade consistent with climate action.
"Pushed actively and vigorously by China, the relevant mechanism opposing unilateralism was included for the first time into the multilateral competition in climate action. Under our advocacy, a just transformation work mechanism was established," said Li Gao, China's vice minister of ecology and environment.
COP30 delivers sweeping package to scale up climate finance
COP30 delivers sweeping package to scale up climate finance
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
