UN Urges Staff to Limit COP30 Attendance Amid Soaring Hotel Costs in Belém

UN Cites 'Capacity Constraints' in Belém

The United Nations has formally requested its staff to limit their attendance at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), set to take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025. The directive stems from concerns over the exceptionally high accommodation prices in the Amazonian host city, which threaten to undermine the summit's inclusivity. Simon Stiell, the UN climate secretariat's executive secretary, issued a document urging heads of UN system organizations and specialized agencies to 'review the size of their delegations at Cop30 and reduce numbers where possible' due to 'capacity constraints in Belem'.

Exorbitant Accommodation Prices Spark Alarm

Reports indicate that hotel prices in Belém have surged dramatically, with some accommodations listed at 10 to 20 times their usual rates. Examples include Airbnb listings reaching up to US$9,320 per day, a stark increase from a typical $11, and a one-person flat on Booking.com offered for $15,266 per night. An official booking portal for attendees even featured a 'love motel' priced at $6,660 for a 15-night minimum stay. Delegates have reported nightly rates ranging from $200 to $3,700, with full-stay packages potentially reaching $50,000, often requiring non-refundable 10-15 night minimums. The UN's daily subsistence allowance (per diem) for Belém is currently set at $144, significantly lower than rates in other major Brazilian cities like Rio de Janeiro ($229) and São Paulo ($234), making the local prices prohibitive for many.

Inclusivity Concerns Mount for Developing Nations

The soaring costs have ignited widespread concern regarding the equitable representation at COP30. Developing countries, often the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, have explicitly stated they cannot afford Belém's accommodation prices. This sentiment is echoed by media organizations and civil society groups, many of whom are considering reducing or abandoning their coverage. A UNFCCC survey in mid-August revealed that only 18 countries, predominantly wealthier nations, had secured lodging, with 87% of countries citing unaffordable prices as the main barrier to accommodation. Critics warn that without intervention, COP30 risks becoming 'the least inclusive Cop ever'. Lamin Jammeh, a negotiator from Gambia, described the situation as 'unthinkable', while Hamid Abakar Souleymane, Chad's lead negotiator, emphasized that paying for the conference diverts resources from critical issues like food shortages and drought. Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez of Panama also expressed fears that the conference 'might become the most inaccessible Cop in recent memory'.

Brazil's Response to the Crisis

In response to the growing crisis, the Brazilian government, as the host, has been working to increase the available hotel beds, aiming to nearly double the existing capacity. The Brazilian COP30 presidency has committed to securing 15 single rooms for poorer countries at reduced rates, ranging between US$100 and US$200, aligning with standards from previous COPs. Brazil also supports the request to increase the UN per diem ceiling for Belém. To further alleviate the accommodation crunch, the government has secured two cruise ships to provide an additional 6,000 beds. Despite these efforts, Miriam Belchior, executive secretary to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's chief of staff, stated that Brazil is already incurring significant costs and cannot provide further subsidies. Valter Correia, COP30's special secretary and logistics chief, characterized the situation as a 'collective fever' of price speculation, with local property owners seeking to capitalize on the event. Brazil's consumer protection agency is investigating hotel prices, though any penalties for price gouging would likely be imposed after the conference.