COP30 Volunteers Take Part in Final Training Stage in Belém

More than 1,300 people are currently participating in the training, divided into three groups for in-person preparation

Por Mayara Souto/COP30

COP30 volunteers have reached the final stage of training to participate in the official activities of the Conference. The 1,375 individuals in the program were divided into three groups for in-person training sessions, held from Tuesday to Thursday, October 28–30, at the Maria Sylvia Nunes Theater in Belém (PA).

Flávia Castelhano, Director of Institutional Relations at the Special Secretariat for COP30 (SECOP), welcomed the volunteers on the first day of training and emphasized the importance of this phase.

“We have reached a very important stage, which is the in-person and topic-specific training on some very critical issues for any COP—not because it is in Brazil or in Belém, but because these are sensitive topics in any major event,” said the SECOP representative.

Laura Lopez, SECOP consultant for COP30 organization, highlighted that volunteer engagement with dozens of international delegations arriving in the city is essential. “Delegates will negotiate, share experiences, but they need to understand that this is about people, it is about the future. And that is where you come in. You can share and experience this spirit with them—with soul and heart,” she emphasized.

Vice-Governor of the State of Pará, Ms. Hana Ghassan Tuma, attended the COP30 volunteer training session and issued a heartfelt message to the residents of Belém. “You will be the gateway for everyone. Your smile will be the first to welcome people. And there is no better way to showcase our hospitality, which is a unique trait of our people,” she affirmed.

Preparation

On Tuesday, volunteers participated in a practical exercise addressing key operational domains, including transportation, security, international protocol, public health, accessibility, and sustainability. Participants were invited to simulate real-life scenarios to develop effective response strategies.

“We are learning things that go beyond the event itself—skills that will be valuable for future experiences, such as how to handle violent situations,” reflected Ana Fadel, 28, a COP30 volunteer.

Operational Deployment

For the duration of COP30, volunteers will be assigned to 26 distinct functional areas across various locations. Their responsibilities will include welcoming delegates at the airport, providing guidance at hotels and bus stops, and supporting logistics at the Outeiro Port, where more than 4,000 individuals will be accommodated for the Conference.

Additionally, select volunteers will be stationed within the Blue Zone and Green Zone at Parque da Cidade, assisting with climate negotiations. Given the scale of the event, volunteer coordination will be managed through a dedicated mobile application, enabling real-time activity tracking.

Translation: Michel Emmanuel Félix François (POET/UFC)
Proofreading: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)