Designation of the President of COP30

The Brazilian government is pleased to announce that, by decision of the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the presidency of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30 of the UNFCCC) will be entrusted to Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ana Toni, currently the National Secretary for Climate Change at the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COP30.

The appointment of Ambassador Corrêa do Lago—a seasoned negotiator in climate matters—to preside over COP30 underscores Brazil’s commitment to the global sustainable development agenda and reinforces the country’s leadership in international climate negotiations. The announcement also marks an important step in preparing for the conference, which will be held in Belém, in the state of Pará, in November 2025.

The COP president mediates negotiations among the parties to the Convention, with a view to promoting consensus and achieving ambitious commitments. Although nominated by the host country, the president must act impartially and conduct the Conference according to established rules. This role of listening and coordination begins several months before the COP.

While the formal COP presidency remains with Azerbaijan until the official opening of the 30th Conference, Brazil, as the designated incoming president, will assume from this point onward the role of leading efforts toward a successful outcome of the negotiations, encouraging dialogue among countries and other stakeholders.

The president of COP30

With a degree in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), André Corrêa do Lago joined the diplomatic corps in 1982. He has served in Brazil and abroad in areas related to energy, climate, and environment, representing Brazil in international organizations, and advancing the country’s trade interests.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he headed both the Energy and the Environment Departments. He served as Brazil’s chief negotiator at various environmental and climate conferences, including Rio+20. He was posted at Brazilian embassies in Madrid, Prague, Washington, and Buenos Aires, as well as at the Mission to the European Union in Brussels. He served as Brazil’s ambassador to Japan (2013-2018) and to India (2018-2023).

Since March 2023, he has been Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acting as chief negotiator for Brazil at COP28 (Dubai, UAE) and COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan).

The CEO of COP30

An economist with a PhD in political science, Ana Toni has devoted her career to advancing projects and public policies focused on social justice, the environment, and climate change. She served as Executive Director of the Institute for Climate and Society (iCS) from 2015 to 2022; as Chair of Greenpeace International’s Board (2010-2017); as director of the Ford Foundation in Brazil (2003-2011); and as director of ActionAid Brazil (1998-2002). She has been a board member of the Gold Standard Group, the Baobá Fund for Racial Equity, Light, Vibra Energia, and IPAM, among others. She is also part of the Network of Brazilian Women Leaders for Sustainability.