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Belém (Brazil), Nov 12 (IANS) The New Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organized a high-level side event at the COP30 – ‘Beyond 2025: A New Climate Multilateralism?’
The session, held at the Blue Zones in Belém, featured keynote speakers Shelly Kedia, TERI Director and Senior Fellow, who discussed the urgent need to reform the global climate governance architecture.
The 30th annual United Nations climate change conference (COP30) began this week in the Brazilian city of Belem, with 50,000 people from more than 190 countries, including diplomats and climate experts, attending the 11-day summit.
TERI’s Policy Brief, written by Abhilash Kolekar, Shaili Kedia and Ishita Srivastava; and reviewed by RR Rashmi, argue that the current multilateral system – while fundamental in advancing global cooperation – must evolve to remain credible and effective in the face of growing climate risks and wide implementation gaps.
On the theme of the session, Shaili Kedia highlighted, “A new multilateralism is not about dismantling what exists – it is about strengthening global cooperation in line with the demands of climate science. In addition to strengthening UNFCCC-related processes, this new approach must also include a broader multilateral system.
“For example, reassigning the UN Trusteeship Council to protect global communities such as the high seas and the central Arctic Ocean could help protect some of the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems.”
Emphasizing the need for strong multi-level governance, Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director, Intergovernmental Assistance and Collective Progress, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, underlined, “Our job is not to fight each other; it is to fight the climate crisis together.
“Multilateralism is dynamic, not static. We need collaborative, action-oriented politics that connect global decisions to local realities.”
On the importance of the COP Presidency and the relevance of multilateralism, Ethan Spanner, International Policy Senior Advisor at The Climate Reality Project, said, “The Presidency can catalyze ambition by centering science, improving processes, and linking commitments to delivery. Strengthening the COP as the key multilateral venue for climate action at this critical moment and building trust starts at the top, with a COP President who leads by example.
“This means sidelining fossil fuel actors with no interest in climate action, committing to science-based solutions, and welcoming into the dialogue those most affected by the crisis. A COP presidency has an incredible opportunity to show the world what ambition means and set a standard for all COP presidents to come.”
RR Rashmi, TERI Distinguished Fellow and former Principal Climate Negotiator for India at the UNFCCC, shared, “The multilateral system is facing considerable stress today and, some might argue, is even facing existential threat. There are increasing efforts to undermine or disrupt it in various sectors. This requires renewed caution and reflection about the future of multilateralism – not only in addressing climate change but also as a global mode of governance. Across the spectrum.”
Abhilash Kolekar, Research Associate at TERI and lead author of the policy brief, said, “As the climate crisis deepens, the effectiveness of the UNFCCC will depend on its ability to adapt to evolving scientific realities, ensure inclusive participation and address challenges beyond national boundaries.
“Strengthening multilateral climate governance through timely and equitable reform is not only desirable, but also necessary.”
–IANS
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