Guyana bidding to host COP35 Climate Summit in 2030

Guyana has undertaken the task to secure the hosting rights of the 35th United Nations annual Climate Change meeting, Conference of the Parties (COP35), in 2030 – a move that is being backed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In its communique following the 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government held last week in St Kitts and Nevis, regional leaders indicated their support for Guyana’s bid.

“Heads of Government agreed to support Guyana’s bid to host COP35 in 2030,” the communique, which was published on Sunday, detailed.

The location for the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting is determined through a rotation system among five recognised UN regional groups – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Other Groups.

Usually, members of the designated group consensually determine which country within that geographic location would make an offer to host the conference. The interested country will then submit a bid which is deliberated on and decided by the parties at the annual COP meeting.

Following the hosting of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, last year, it was decided that COP31 would be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November this year. However, while Turkey will serve as the host country, Australia will lead the negotiations and advance the interests of the Pacific.

Additionally, Ethiopia has been officially selected to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32), which is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027.

Meanwhile, India has formally proposed to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP33) in 2028. There is currently no specific host country to host COP34.

Guyana’s bid to host the COP35 in the next five years comes as the country continues to play a leading role in global climate discussions, including participation at the annual COP summits.

President Dr Irfaan Ali attended COP30 in Brazil last November, where he bemoaned the lack of progress and speed in achieving the global climate goals and presented a series of solutions to world leaders gathered in Belém that would accelerate progress.