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Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago has been appointed as the president of COP30. Serving as Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the beginning of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s current term, the diplomat has been deeply involved in global climate discussions. His new mission will be to coordinate the signatory Parties of the Paris Agreement, as well as non-state actors, over the coming months to ensure that the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Belém this November, achieves progress in advancing necessary climate actions.
Corrêa do Lago is a seasoned expert on sustainable development and climate issues, having worked in this field for over two decades. “Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago brings a rare combination of diplomatic expertise and vision to turn the Paris Agreement into reality. His leadership will be essential to translate global ambition into concrete, measurable results,” says Natalie Unterstell, president of the Talanoa Institute.
The success of COP30 will hinge on his ability to align policies, financing, and implementation strategies to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. Moreover, Belém must be more than a symbolic venue for the UNFCCC’s meeting of Parties. “The Amazon is not merely a backdrop for COP. It is crucial that the COP president leads with the Amazon’s needs in mind, particularly accelerating climate adaptation efforts in cities,” says Wendell Andrade, a Pará native and public policy expert for the Amazon at the Talanoa Institute.
The COP30 presidency is not a position to represent Brazil in climate negotiations. Instead, the role demands impartiality and a focus on fostering consensus and advancing climate commitments. The dialogues Corrêa do Lago facilitates leading up to November will be key to ensuring negotiators arrive in Belém prepared to push for ambitious agreements. During the two weeks of the conference in Brazil, global attention will be on him. The COP presidency sets international precedents in real time, and the decisions made in its plenaries must influence the policies of the UNFCCC’s member nations.
In addition to Corrêa do Lago’s appointment as COP30 president, it was announced that Ana Toni, the National Secretary for Climate Change, will serve as the CEO (executive director) of the conference. Like Corrêa do Lago, Toni is widely recognized for her extensive experience in climate policy. With a career in the nonprofit sector, she has been part of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) since the start of President Lula’s current term.
The appointments of Corrêa do Lago and Ana Toni were announced following a meeting between President Lula and his ministers, including Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
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