President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva flew to Belém to press negotiators for an early COP30 deal after Brazil released a draft pact aimed at resolving the most contentious issues two days before the summit's scheduled close. Delegates remain divided over trade measures, the wording and timing of a fossil-fuel phase-out, and demands for increased climate finance for vulnerable countries. Europe and island states are pushing for a clear roadmap, while oil-producing nations resist firm commitments; a revised draft was expected Wednesday and the summit may run into overtime.
Lula Flies to Belém to Push for Breakthrough at COP30 as Talks Stall
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva flew to Belém to press negotiators for an early COP30 deal after Brazil released a draft pact aimed at resolving the most contentious issues two days before the summit's scheduled close. Delegates remain divided over trade measures, the wording and timing of a fossil-fuel phase-out, and demands for increased climate finance for vulnerable countries. Europe and island states are pushing for a clear roadmap, while oil-producing nations resist firm commitments; a revised draft was expected Wednesday and the summit may run into overtime.
07:14 PM, 11/19/2025Environment
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva flew to Belém on Wednesday to press negotiators for an early agreement at COP30, after Brazil published a draft pact aimed at resolving the most contentious issues two days before the summit's scheduled end.
Late-stage push to close gaps
Lula's rare late-stage visit was intended to lend presidential weight to the talks as delegates remained sharply divided over trade measures, wording on phasing out fossil fuels, and demands for increased climate finance to help vulnerable countries. The host country released a draft text on Tuesday to try to narrow differences before Friday's scheduled close.
Andre Correa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat chairing COP30, urged negotiators to work around the clock to narrow gaps between wealthy nations, developing countries and oil-exporting states.
Key sticking points
Negotiators are split on several sensitive areas: how trade measures might affect climate policy, the precise language and timeline for moving away from fossil fuels, and the scale and sources of finance richer countries should provide for adaptation and the energy transition.
"No, there will not be a COP decision today. I don't see how that could happen," French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut said, while noting she felt "more optimistic" than the previous day.
The draft highlights a widening divide between a coalition led by European and island states pressing for a clear "roadmap" to phase out fossil fuels, and a bloc of oil-producing countries resisting firm phase-out commitments.
"Whether we're going to call it the roadmap or we're going to use a different wording, I think is secondary. But once again, we very much like the idea," said EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.
On finance, many developing countries are pushing for larger adaptation and transition funds from wealthy nations; several European ministers, citing domestic economic pressures, have resisted significant increases.
"We're not looking at any increases in adaptation finance," Ireland's climate minister Darragh O'Brien said.
A revised draft text was expected on Wednesday. Although COP30 is scheduled to close on Friday, climate summits frequently run into overtime as negotiators work to iron out final language and secure a comprehensive package.