Belém, Brazil: India has called on the United Nations climate conference in Belém to prioritise addressing the critical shortage of resources that developing countries need to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the Global Stock Take (GST) breakout session during the pre-COP30 meeting in Brasilia on Monday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised that the era of continuous reviews without action must end.

“Dialogue is important, but action is imperative,” Yadav said. “We must now focus on implementing ambitious climate measures and, above all, addressing the most pressing challenge: the urgent lack of resources for developing countries to deliver adaptation and mitigation.”

The GST, a periodic review under the 2015 Paris Agreement, evaluates the world’s collective progress toward limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Conducted every five years, it assesses countries’ actions on mitigation, adaptation, and finance, providing guidance to strengthen future climate commitments. This year marks a decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted. The first GST was completed at COP28 in Dubai.

Yadav said the GST is intended to strengthen climate ambition. He proposed that future GSTs avoid rushing the inclusion of scientific assessments without thorough discussion on their global relevance, stressing that science must be rigorous, accurate, and robust, drawing from all relevant sources.

On the sidelines of the pre-COP meetings, Yadav met UN climate chief Simon Stiell, COP30 President-Designate André Corrêa do Lago, and EU Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra.

Discussing with Stiell, Yadav highlighted the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to enhance global climate action, with Stiell acknowledging India’s leadership and progress in renewable energy.

His talks with Corrêa do Lago focused on climate cooperation, energy security, and adaptation measures to ensure tangible progress in implementing the Paris Agreement. Yadav reaffirmed India’s commitment to a successful COP30 through collective and inclusive climate action.

During discussions with Hoekstra, the leaders explored ways to advance the India–EU climate partnership and enhance energy security, while underlining the significance of climate finance, technology transfer, and cooperative solutions for sustainable growth.

The two-day pre-COP gathers environment and climate ministers, senior negotiators, and observers to resolve politically sensitive issues and build ministerial consensus ahead of the UN climate conference in Belém. Although not formal UNFCCC events, pre-COPs have become key platforms for host countries to focus ministerial attention on issues that would otherwise take negotiators weeks to settle.

COP30 is set against a complex geopolitical backdrop, with several developed nations reassessing climate strategies amid economic and energy security pressures. Disagreements over climate finance, the pace and responsibility of the energy transition, and the burden on developing countries continue to remain significant.

PTI inputs