COP30 delegates agree to strengthen multilateralism: Brazilian official

BRASILIA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Delegations from participating countries to the upcoming 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil broadly agreed on the need to strengthen multilateralism, a Brazilian offical in charge of the summit said Monday.

"There was clear alignment around the desire to reinforce multilateralism -- it was mentioned by everyone," Andre Correa do Lago, Secretary for Climate, Energy and Environment of the Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs and President of COP30, told reporters at a press conference during the Pre-COP30 meeting in Brasilia.

"Adaptation was also strongly emphasized, from rich countries to small islands and middle-income nations. There is a general consensus," he said.

The official also noted that the participation of Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad at the meeting signaled the growing economic importance of climate issues.

The preparatory talks aimed to "avoid blockages on either side caused by attempts to add items that are not on the agenda," he said.

Brazil hopes all nations will take part in COP30, to be held in November in Brazil's Amazonian city of Belem, Correa do Lago said. "President Lula has been clear that this will be an open COP where everyone is welcome." ■