Brazil offers free cruise cabins at COP30

Dozens of countries have yet to secure accommodation for their delegations at the COP30 climate summit just a week before it opens, with host Brazil offering free cabins on cruise ships to poorer nations in a last-minute bid to ensure they can attend.

Around 50,000 delegates are expected in the rainforest city of Belem, where nearly every government will convene from November 10–21 to negotiate climate goals. But logistical concerns have plagued preparations: Belem usually has only 18,000 hotel beds, sending nightly rates soaring to several hundred dollars.

As of October 31, 149 countries had confirmed lodging, while 37 were still negotiating, the Brazilian government said.

BRAZIL PLEDGES EVERYONE WILL HAVE A SAY

Brazil has vowed to ensure the world's poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations have their voices heard at the U.N. summit. Soaring accommodation costs had already led the U.N. to hold emergency meetings in response to African countries and small island nations' warnings that they could not afford to attend - even after Brazil and the U.N. subsidised hotel costs.

A leaked email seen by Reuters showed that Brazil last week offered three free cabins aboard cruise ships moored in Belem to delegations from low-income nations.

The email, sent by the U.N. climate secretariat (UNFCCC), said the cabins would be financed through "private donors" and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and coordinated by Brazil's government in partnership with the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP).

"These cabins will be offered free of cost to your delegation," the email said, adding that they were supplementary to existing bookings.

Neither the UNFCCC nor the UNDP responded to requests for comment.

Last week, COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago said the free cabins would go to African countries, small island states and Least Developed Countries — around 96 nations in total, according to Reuters' calculations.

"With this, we will have significant support so that all developing countries can be present at the COP," Correa do Lago said.

Some wealthier European countries have also indicated they may skip this year's global climate talks after being quoted prices for accommodation exceeding $500 per person per night.

Reporting by Kate Abnett and Lisandra Paraguassu. Additional reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva. Editing by Mark Potter

Trump goes into UN General Assembly isolated but defiant

As we’ve reported, US President Donald Trump “disagrees” with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over recognition of Palestinian statehood.

When Trump delivers the first address of his second term to the annual gathering of global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, he will also be at odds with more than half of the member nations, including key allies, over the war in Gaza.

The Trump administration has become increasingly isolated on the issue as the conflict nears its two-year mark. As a growing number of countries have denounced Israel’s actions in the enclave, the US has not only stood by its ally but provided it with consistent political cover and military support.

One of the clearest examples of the US’ isolation will come tomorrow, when France and Saudi Arabia co-host a two-state solution conference, supported by 142 of the 193 UN Member States.

The US is not participating in the conference and was one of only 10 countries who voted against the General Assembly resolution backing the high-level gathering.

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce that France is recognizing a Palestinian state during the conference, saying in recent days that the move would isolate Hamas. It is a largely symbolic move that some nations have taken in recent months or plan to take in the weeks ahead, and one that Trump administration officials have condemned as counterproductive to peace efforts.

The UK is set to announce its recognition of a Palestinian state this weekend, and Canada, Australia and Belgium expect to join France in making the same announcement during the UN gathering.

-CNN

Britons react to PM's plans to recognize Palestinian statehood

Britons split over Palestinian state recognition

01:07

As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks set to recognize a Palestinian state later today, Brits in London appeared split over the move.

Peter, a 70-year-old retired police officer, said the recognition is “rewarding Hamas.”

“I’m very sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinian people. But I don’t think this is the way forward. I think it emboldens them and will only lead to further trouble on the world stage,” Peter, who declined to give his surname, told Reuters today.

Michael Angus, a 55-year-old charity director, disagreed. “I think it’s acknowledging that there’s a people here who are suffering the most awful genocide. And actually, it’s time for the rest of the world to say enough is enough and give them a place to call home,” he said.

-CNN

Canada recognizes Palestinian state

 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a press conference in Berlin on August 26.

Annegret Hilse/Reuters

Canada has announced that it recognizes the State of Palestine, in a move expected to be mirrored by the United Kingdom later today, and France and others at the UN General Assembly this week.

“Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a post on X.

Carney had said in July that his country intended to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. At the time the plan drew condemnation from Israeli officials, who painted the decision as a “reward to Hamas.”

“The Palestinian Authority has renounced violence, has recognized Israel and is committed to the two-state solution,” a senior Canadian government official told CNN shortly before Sunday’s announcement. “We are recognizing the State of Palestine in order to empower those who seek peaceful coexistence and marginalize Hamas.”

Ahead of Carney’s statement, senior Canadian officials pushed back on Israel’s negative reaction to the decision, telling CNN that recognizing Palestine is “not being done to confront or punish Israel.”

“Our sincere communication efforts are to explain this and do everything in our power to prevent the voices that are trying to make this a confrontational gesture from gaining the day,” one senior Canadian official said.

Canadian officials added that they believe recognition keeps a two-state solution in play despite Israel’s open opposition to the prospect of a Palestinian state.

Carney’s announcement in July also provoked criticism from US President Donald Trump, who promptly suggested that the move would hurt Canada in any trade talks with the United States.

Australia announces formal recognition of Palestinian state

Australia has just followed Canada’s lead in officially recognizing the “independent and sovereign” State of Palestine.

“In doing so, Australia recognises the legitimate and long held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Affairs minister Penny Wong said in a joint statement.

Australia’s recognition of Palestine is part of a “co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution, starting with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken in the atrocities of October 7, 2023,” the statement added.

-CNN

UN Secretary-General leaves Dhaka after four-day visit

 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has left Dhaka after a four-day visit. The plane carrying him left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:55 am on Sunday.

Antonio Guterres arrived in Bangladesh on a four-day visit at the invitation of Principal Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. When the UN Secretary-General arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, he was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. He had previously visited Bangladesh in July 2018.