Ahead of COP30 in Brazil: Economy minister, British High Commissioner explore climate finance opportunities.

This was during a recent meeting both officials had in Yaounde. During the meeting, both officials explored avenues through which funding can be secured for the country and the Congo Basin at the 30th Conference of the Parties on climate change. The event is scheduled to take place from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil. 

It is worth recalling that at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, had announced that the United Kingdom has provided 9.1 million Pounds sterling, approximately 7.2 billion FCFA, which will be made available to local scientists working to protect the Congo Basin, home to the world’s largest tropical peat lands to help protect vital natural Carbon Dioxide storage areas. 

Speaking in Baku, the Foreign Secretary underscored UK’s commitment to halting and reversing deforestation, to protect areas which play a key role in absorbing Carbon Dioxide emissions. 

This, he said, will include partnerships aimed at improving forest management and a new 10-year investment to reduce illegal logging.

The programme, according to the Foreign Secretary, will build on long-running UK initiatives to improve the governance of forests, support the trade of sustainable forest products and crackdown on illegal ones.

“The climate and nature crisis is the defining challenge of our times, which is why we are working with other countries to tackle the issue at its root. Britain is back as a leader on the climate crisis because this is how we motivate global action to deliver security and clean growth at home, as well as protect our planet for future generations,” David Lammy stated.

He added that: “That is why we are doubling down on our support to protect and restore forests, and the communities that depend upon them, around the world. We are also boosting funding to help countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”

COP30, to be held in the Amazon region, has several key objectives, including strengthening national plans to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and mobilising climate finance. 

It also aims to foster a just transition, integrate a gender dimension into climate action, and enhance the role of non-state actors. As the host nation, Brazil intends to use the conference to highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with preserving the Amazon, which is widely considered a critical ecosystem for the global climate.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3538 of Tuesday August 19, 2025