LocationsRemarks by Ms Beate Trankmann at the "From Baku to Belem: Delivering on the Ambitions of COP 30" Seminar
September 11, 2025
UNDP Resident Representative in China, Beate Trankmann, delivered a keynote speech at the seminar titled "From Baku to Belem: Delivering on the Ambitions of COP 30", held in Beijing, China
H.E Ana Toni (National Secretary for Climate Change of Brazil & COP30 CEO),
H.E Marcos Galvão (Ambassador of Brazil to China),
H.E. Sid Chatterjee (United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in China),
尊敬的张之骧先生,
Mr. Stefano Marguccio (Deputy CEO, Sustainable Energy for All),
Ambassadors, Youth representatives, colleagues and partners,
Good afternoon.
Around the world, climate impacts are no longer distant warnings – they are daily realities: from deadly heatwaves to devastating floods and droughts, and mounting losses. In China, the top ten natural disasters of 2024 collectively resulted in direct economic losses of nearly $30 billion. [1]
In this context, COP30 represents a critical moment – one to consolidate the progress made at previous meetings and put ambitious commitments into action to keep a 1.5°C pathway viable and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)..
To this end, our gathering today involving Brazil’s climate leadership team, Chinese partners, UN colleagues and partners from across diplomacy, academia and business represents exactly the kind of broad-based coalition that is needed to succeed in this aim and turn aspiration into reality.
On a related note, permit me also to say that we are particularly pleased that China has confirmed attendance at the highest level to the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action on 24 September during the General Assembly High Level Week in New York, which will help build momentum towards COP30.
In the Baku to Belém Roadmap, three key building blocks will frame success:
First, ambition – in line with science. Countries must deliver new national climate pledges that are economy-wide, aligned with the Paris Agreement, and are backed by policies that make a clean energy future investable and attainable. This is the call of the hour and sets a clear standard for credibility as highlighted by the UN Secretary-General.
In this regard, China’s role will be pivotal. The Dual Carbon Goals – to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality before 2060 – combined with advancements in green sectors, demonstrate that large economies can set ambitious goals while pursuing economic growth. As China crafts its next NDC, continued ambition – supported by practical implementation pathways – can help slow the global rise in emissions while unlocking domestic opportunities for innovation, jobs and resilience.
"The pathway from Baku to Belém is not just about bigger numbers – it is about aligning systems so that climate action and human development reinforce each other."
Second, financing at scale. Moving forward, the operationalization of the Roadmap and its target to mobilise public and private finance to reach $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance by 2035 is critical to support the more ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation plans that will be discussed at COP30.
This push fully aligns with the outcomes from the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development. The Sevilla Commitment and the associated Sevilla Platform for Action establish a path to close the $4.2 trillion annual financing gap for the SDGs by addressing the debt and development crisis, and reforming the international financial architecture.
In contributing to these global agendas, China has an opportunity to build on the leading role it established during the COP15 Biodiversity Conference with the creation of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), as well as the $24 billion in climate-related funds it has provided for developing countries between 2016 and 2024. Indeed, continuing to scale support to developing countries in their climate financing efforts will send a powerful signal of hope and commitment towards the broad financing partnerships that are needed to turn billions into trillions.
Third, implementation platforms that connect capital to country plans. When countries align public budgets, financial regulations and investment pipelines with their climate plans and the SDGs, resources can be channelled at scale. That is why through the development of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs), UNDP is supporting governments in over 80 countries to reform policies, strengthen institutions, and convene investors.
We also advance instruments such as debt-for-development swaps, and work with grant and loan providers to structure blended finance that de-risks sustainable investments in line with countries’ plans.
This work has contributed to our overall efforts to mobilize SDG-aligned investments in emerging economies, which have now reached a total of $870 billion.
In China, we are exploring new partnerships with national and international development banks, as well as the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), to leverage grants and platforms that unlock public and private finance for climate action aligned with the broader SDGs. This mirrors the comprehensive Action Agenda of COP30 and its focus on “unleashing enablers and accelerators” across finance, technology, and capacity building.
Moving forward, UNDP stands ready to continue supporting partners in China and across the world to meet these goals and ensure that COP30 is a success. As part of our Climate Promise, we are working with over 140 countries and territories to reduce emissions and advance climate action through a $2 billion portfolio – the world’s largest offer to support national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
Ultimately though, the pathway from Baku to Belém is not just about bigger numbers – it is about aligning systems so that climate action and human development reinforce each other. If we anchor ambition in credible plans; match it with finance at scale; and build the platforms to execute, COP30 can be the moment where pledges begin translating into measurable impact.
Together, let us firmly demonstrate our shared commitment and ability to deliver for people and planet.
Thank you!
[1] https://www.mem.gov.cn/xw/yjglbgzdt/202502/t20250212_516042.shtml
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