Brazil As COP30 President Takes Outreach To A New Level

As host and president of COP30, the UN’s Climate Summit, Brazil is pioneering a bold and innovative outreach strategy that goes beyond traditional diplomacy. In preparation for the summit to be held in November, the Brazilian government has appointed 30 Special Envoys to engage with “priority” sectors and regions around the world.

This initiative reflects a significant departure from the typically closed-door, top-down approaches of previous COP presidencies. Instead, Brazil is adopting an outward-facing strategy aimed at generating fresh perspectives and fostering global collaboration.

An Inclusive Global Representation

The 30 envoys include First Lady Janja Lula da Silva and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (2017–2023). These envoys will work voluntarily and in a personal capacity to bolster engagement and outreach in their designated sectors or regions.

• 10 envoys have been tasked with representing strategic regions, while

• 20 envoys will focus on key sectors crucial to advancing the climate agenda.

Notable names among the appointed envoys include:

• Adnan Amin, Kenyan diplomat and development economist, and the first Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (2011–2019)

• Arunabha Ghosh, Founder and CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), one of Asia’s leading climate think tanks (India)

• Carlos Lopes, development economist and Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

• Denis Minev, economist, CEO of Bemol, and investor in sustainable projects in the Amazon

• Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris Agreement

• Patricia Espinosa, Mexican diplomat with over 35 years of experience in international relations

A Fresh Approach to Climate Diplomacy

COP30 CEO Ana Toni explained the vision behind the appointments:

“They will be our voices and ears in strategic sectors and regions, contributing to a collective effort for a strong and effective COP30 that implements climate solutions.”

By involving high-profile experts and leaders from diverse backgrounds and regions, Brazil aims to foster inclusive dialogue and global cooperation—essential ingredients for successful climate action.

Setting a New Standard

Brazil’s decision to deploy Special Envoys marks a transformative step in international climate negotiations. This inclusive and proactive approach is expected to inspire innovation, build trust, and strengthen the foundation for actionable outcomes at COP30.

As the world looks toward Belém in November, Brazil’s leadership could very well set a new precedent for how climate summits are organized and led in the future.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy