Lesotho Participates in COP30 Leaders Roundtables in Belém Brazil

As part of the ongoing Leaders Summit at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, high-level COP30 Leaders Roundtables were convened, chaired by His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The dialogues focused on three critical themes: Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans, Energy Transition, and Ten Years of the Paris Agreement: NDCs and Financing. These sessions brought together Heads of State, representatives of international organizations, and Indigenous leaders to assess global progress and address challenges in climate action.

The Kingdom of Lesotho was represented by The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara. She engaged with global leaders to share Lesotho’s experiences and strategies in advancing sustainable development. During the Climate and Nature session, participants highlighted the urgent need to protect forests and oceans as essential ecosystems for climate stability and biodiversity. Leaders reaffirmed commitments to ecosystem restoration and recognized the role of Indigenous communities in safeguarding natural resources.

In the Energy Transition session, the discussion centred on accelerating the shift to clean and renewable energy. Countries shared strategies to expand solar and wind energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and ensure broader access to sustainable energy solutions. Lesotho was highlighted as a progressive country making significant strides in renewable energy adoption and infrastructure development.

The final session marked Ten Years of the Paris Agreement and focused on enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and mobilizing climate finance. Deputy Prime Minister Majara reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to reducing emissions by up to 24% with international support. She called for transparent, accessible, and grant-based financing for Least Developed Countries. She also welcomed the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance and advocated for its alignment with the Global Goal on Adaptation to strengthen climate resilience.

The COP30 Leaders Roundtables concluded with a call for global solidarity, equity, and accelerated action to protect the planet. The sessions underscored the need for collaborative implementation of climate commitments, ensuring that current and future generations inherit a stable and sustainable environment. Lesotho’s participation highlighted the country’s proactive role in climate leadership and its commitment to advancing international climate goals.