Pará envisions historical legacy of COP30 during Climate Week in New York
Governor Helder Barbalho presents advances in infrastructure, sustainability, and tourism 50 days before the UN Conference in Belém
With less than two months to go before the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), which will be held in Belém from November 10 to 21, the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, highlighted the main actions and structural investments of the State during Climate Week NYC 2025, this Monday (22), in New York (USA). The head of the Executive participated in a panel promoted by AmCham Brazil & Valor Econômico, focusing on the legacy that the conference will leave for Pará and Brazil.
During his participation, the governor emphasized that Pará has transformed COP30 into a strategic opportunity for urban, environmental, and economic development.
“We learned from other major events held in Brazil that had their legacies questioned. Therefore, we structured our investment strategies so that COP30 prepares the city, leaves a legacy of infrastructure, policies, and environmental actions, paving the way for a new low-emission development model for Pará,” said Helder Barbalho.
Currently, the State is executing R$ 4.5 billion in public works in Belém, highlighting sanitation projects, expansion of the water and sewage network, the largest macro-drainage program in the history of the capital, and the implementation of 8 km of the BRT system, which will feature 265 new air-conditioned and integrated buses. The works are already generating around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, promoting improvements in mobility and quality of life for the population.
Regulation of the hotel sector and expansion of the accommodation network
Helder Barbalho also addressed the actions of the Government of Pará to ensure fair prices in the accommodation sector, both in hotels and on digital platforms.
“We have already managed to reduce rates that were being applied abusively by more than 30%. COP30 is not a final point, but the beginning of a window of opportunities for tourism and the economy of Belém. Investments need to be understood as permanent, and not recovered in just two weeks,” he emphasized.
The governor announced that Belém and the Metropolitan Region will have 2,000 new accommodation beds, resulting from nine new hotel developments under implementation, which reinforces the city's capacity to host and strengthens its vocation for ecotourism and business tourism.
International participation reinforces Belém's prominence
Another highlight was the significant number of delegations already confirmed for COP30. According to the governor, 72 official delegations are confirmed and another 78 are in the finalization process, totaling a forecast of 150 official delegations.
In addition, 146 countries confirmed their presence through non-governmental organizations, universities, representatives from the private sector, and traditional peoples. “It is the certainty that Belém will be the center of the global climate debate,” said Helder.
Environmental advances: deforestation, bioeconomy, and innovation
On the environmental agenda, the governor of Pará highlighted the reduction of deforestation rates and the State's progress in transitioning to a green economy.
“The State has left behind the predatory agenda of extractivism and bets on nature-based solutions, new low-emission economies, and bioeconomy as a new vocation for Pará,” he stated.
The governor also announced that the State is about to deliver the Amazon Bioeconomy and Innovation Park, with delivery scheduled for October. The space will be dedicated to startups, industrialization of forest products, and sustainable production chains.
Cattle traceability and carbon market
Helder also reaffirmed the State's commitment to making Pará's livestock a global reference in sustainability, with traceability and good environmental practices. In addition, he mentioned Pará's leadership in the carbon market.
“Today we have a stock of 235 million tons, with the potential to generate R$ 40 billion by 2028. These resources will serve to compensate indigenous peoples, quilombolas, extractivists, rural producers, and forest guardians for environmental services, in addition to reinforcing public policies for emission reduction,” he explained.
Forest restoration concessions and global leadership
Finally, the governor announced the first public concession for forest restoration in the country, signed for 40 years with an estimated private investment of R$ 300 million. The initiative is expected to generate around 2,000 jobs throughout the entire reforestation production chain.
“We are innovating by attracting private capital to restore degraded areas. This restoration agenda is essential for Brazil to meet its climate goals and positions Pará as a global leader in conservation and sustainable development solutions,” concluded Helder Barbalho.
