It is time to turn talk into action, says Minister George at CoP30 Belém, Brazil

10 November 2025

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George is leading South Africa’s delegation to the 30th United Nations Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil.

“This is the time for the world to act,” said Minister George. “Every decision in Belém must come with a clear plan for implementation, financing, and accountability. People and communities living with the daily reality of climate change cannot wait any longer.”

Minister George is co-chairing negotiations for the Adaptation stream at COP30 with His Excellency Mr Jochen Flasbarth, German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development. Adaptation is central to protecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems in a world already facing the effects of climate change. “Adaptation is about building resilience. It is how we prepare for the storms, droughts, and rising seas that are already reshaping our world,” he emphasised.

These negotiations aim to agree on a set of global indicators to measure real progress on adaptation. “We must be able to track our success and hold ourselves accountable. Without measurable results there can be no credibility,” said Minister George.

He warned that global cooperation is under pressure but reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to working through multilateralism; “No nation can face this crisis alone. Together we can find solutions that are fair, practical, and lasting.”

South Africa’s priorities at COP30 include advancing the 1.3 trillion US dollars in climate finance agreed at COP29, finalising the Global Goal on Adaptation through the Belém Work Programme, and ensuring the Loss and Damage Fund supports the most vulnerable.

“COP30 must deliver real outcomes for people and the planet,” concluded Minister George.

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