The year 2025 is emblematic for Brazil, which assumes a relevant role in the debate on the climate agenda, by hosting the thirtieth edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Held annually by United Nations (UN), It is the most important global forum on climate change and is essential for sustainable development, setting and monitoring climate targets, and promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy, which are necessary to curb global warming. 

With its occurrence in Brazilian territory, the expectation is to bring more visibility to the country's climate reality. “"Throughout the year, COP30 will offer various opportunities for municipalities and states to implement their climate agendas, through access to training, multi-sectoral partnerships, and green financing, for example. ICLEI, one of the leading international organizations working on urban sustainability, is preparing a series of activities proposing dialogues and integrated collaborative actions, fostering the transformation of environmental agreements into action." ”Concrete actions in the territories,” highlights Rodrigo Perpétuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America. 

Connected Cities Towards COP30

From the perspective of accelerating the implementation of public policies in favor of sustainable development, between June 11th and 13th, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, in partnership with the Municipality of Campinas, will hold the first regional meeting of associates of 2025, promoting a series of activities so that subnational governments in the Southeast Region can advance their urban sustainability agendas. “This ICLEI meeting in partnership with the Municipality of Campinas is an important milestone in preparing cities for COP 30. In addition to exercising climate federalism through a series of dialogues with the Federal Government, it also materializes good practices from cities that are at the forefront of climate action, always from the perspective of their integration with the New Urban Agenda and the global biodiversity agenda,” says Perpétuo.

Associated with ICLEI since 2015, the host city of the event is an active member of the network and stands out for its commitment to sustainable best practices. “Campinas has established itself as a national benchmark in biodiversity and climate action programs, and hosting this regional ICLEI meeting, in the context of preparations for COP30, reinforces our leading role. Through planning (such as the Local Climate Action Plan) and the implementation of programs like RECONECTA-RMC, Linear Parks, Payment for Environmental Services, Green Areas Bank and Environmental Education Centers, the implementation of urban micro-forests and the Green Power Plant, the city is advancing in concrete solutions that integrate biodiversity conservation, climate justice and quality of life. With technical planning, social participation and strategic action in international networks, such as ICLEI, Campinas demonstrates that local governments are key players in transforming global commitments into effective local actions,” highlights Dário Saadi, Mayor of Campinas. 

Event promotes the intersection of the Climate and Biodiversity agenda.

Municipal and state public managers, representatives of the Federal Government; international organizations; third sector entities; academic partners and researchers; and technicians specializing in urban sustainability will be gathered for a program that includes thematic sessions, debates, workshops, and technical visits to projects implemented by [organization name]. The Secretariat of Climate, Environment and Sustainability of Campinas (SECLIMAS) aims to present, in practice, the successful examples of the host city in implementing public policies focused on sustainable urban development. 

Also within the event's program is the... The first training workshop of the National Urban Afforestation Plan (PlaNAU), which aims to boost urban afforestation management in Brazil. The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), in partnership with the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) and ICLEI, and aims to equip municipalities with the tools to develop their municipal afforestation plans. 

Local dialogues with global connections: the role of the Town Hall in the COPs

In addition to fostering debate and coordination at the national and regional levels, the ICLEI Meetings are part of a global strategy to strengthen multilevel climate governance. One of the main milestones of this work is the Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion, organized by ICLEI since COP23, in partnership with UN-Habitat and other international organizations. This is the official UN space for the voices of cities and territories in global climate negotiations.

Within this space, the Town Hall It has solidified itself as one of the most relevant moments for dialogue between the various levels of government and sectors of civil society at the COPs. The format promotes thematic meetings between representatives of local and regional governments, national governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society, fostering integrated solutions, alignment of priorities, and strengthening joint action in pursuit of the Paris Agreement's goals.

In this context, the ICLEI 2025 Meetings will act as preparatory and coordinating spaces for the COP30 Town Hall. The inputs, commitments, and good practices shared during the Meetings will help to form the Brazilian narrative of subnational climate action that will be presented in Belém, promoting a direct transition from local to global and strengthening the leadership of local governments in international decision-making bodies.

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About ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of over 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in over 125 countries, ICLEI influences sustainability policies and drives action for zero-carbon, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI is the focal point for Local and Municipal Governments (LGMA) at both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Therefore, it has UN consultative status, acting as a spokesperson for local and regional governments in international dynamics.

In Brazil, it has over a hundred associated governments, comprising 11 states and 86 municipalities (all Brazilian state capitals). Its objective is to translate global environmental agreements into local action, offering access to knowledge, partnerships, and training to drive systemic change for urban sustainability.