(MENAFN) The 30th UN climate change conference, COP30, officially began Monday in Belem, Brazil, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, following recent climate-related disasters and amid noticeably low international participation.

The summit follows a tornado in southern Brazil’s Parana state, which struck the city of Rio Bonito do Iguacu on Friday, killing six people and injuring over 700. The disaster adds to the devastation caused by severe floods in Rio Grande do Sul in May of last year, highlighting the growing urgency of the climate agenda.

Delegates are expected to address the climate crisis and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Despite the significance of the meeting, attendance is lower than usual, with around 160 countries confirmed—far fewer than the 195 nations present at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Leaders from major global economies, including the US, China, and India, are notably absent. Only three Latin American presidents joined host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: Xiomara Castro of Honduras, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, and Gabriel Boric of Chile. Nonetheless, about 50,000 participants, including diplomats and experts, are expected to attend the 11-day conference.

The talks will prioritize efforts to keep global warming under the crucial 1.5C threshold, including presenting new national emissions reduction plans and reviewing progress on financial commitments pledged at COP29 to support developing countries.

Holding the conference in the Amazon provides Brazil with a symbolic platform to draw global attention to pressing regional issues such as deforestation, biodiversity conservation, and climate justice.

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