Announcement from the COP30 Presidency Designate.
UN Climate Change News, 3 April 2025 -- Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced the selection of entrepreneur Dan Ioschpe as a high-level climate champion for COP30, the climate conference to be held in Belém, Brasil, in November. Ioschpe will support the COP30 Presidency in the Action Agenda, leading efforts to expand and enhance climate action and voluntary commitments, initiatives, and coalitions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
"I hope to be able to support the COP30 Presidency in advancing climate action, including the energy transition, essential for socio-economic development worldwide and of even greater importance for Brasil, given its potential to accelerate this agenda. Always involving the broadest range of actors in society and taking advantage of the different initiatives and opportunities," said Ioschpe.
Iochpe is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ioschpe-Maxion and a member of WEG, Marcopolo, and Embraer. One of the Vice Presidents of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo - (Fiesp), the entrepreneur led the Business 20 - (B20) during Brazil's presidency of the G20 in 2024.
"The appointment of Dan Ioschpe as High-Level Champion represents a considerable enhancement of the COP30 presidency team. As he showed at the G20 during the Brazilian presidency, Ioschpe will be able to contribute in an exceptional role to link Brasil's priorities for COP30 and private sector action," said COP30 President-elect Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.
The role of the High-Level Climate Champion was launched at COP21 in 2015 to encourage ambitious climate action - including cities, regions, businesses, investors, and other civil society actors. Their responsibilities include linking voluntary initiatives by economic actors with the efforts of national governments and supporting the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement.
In carrying out this role, the High-Level Champion will be supported by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched at COP22 in 2016 to support the engagement of different actors in implementing climate action.
"I warmly welcome Dan Ioschpe as the Climate High-Level Champion for COP30. His experience in the business sector will be instrumental in driving the transformative change needed to keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach. As we accelerate climate action, his ability to unite key stakeholders will be crucial in strengthening voluntary efforts by the private sector and scaling up solutions. I look forward to working with him to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and deliver meaningful progress on the road to COP30", says Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC).
The Action Agenda is one of the four pillars of the COP30 Presidency, including Leaders Summit, Negotiations, and Mobilization. In the first decade of the Paris Agreement, more than 475 Action Agenda initiatives were launched, engaging more than 40,000 businesses, investors, organizations, cities, and states, among others.
"The Action Agenda will play an even more key role in the next decade of the Paris Agreement. We will need to focus our efforts on working towards the implementation of the agreements and initiatives already signed and engaging stakeholders from the real economy in achieving our climate goals. Dan Ioschpe's role will be key to ensuring that we progress from promise to action," said Ana Toni, COP30 CEO.
The High-Level Champion will lead the COP30 Presidency and engage in ongoing dialogue with other stakeholders to align the framework of the COP30 Action Agenda with the implementation of the Paris Agreement, especially the Global Stocktake (GST) presented at COP28 and countries' NDCs, and stimulate implementation.
Ioschpe is appointed for a two-year term. In 2025, he will work with Nigar Arpadarai, High-Level Climate Champion at COP29, held last year in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"I am eager to welcome the COP30 High-Level Climate Champion as we accelerate progress from Baku to Belém. I look forward to building a strong and impactful partnership with Dan Ioschpe, working side-by-side with our global partnership network to accelerate ambitious climate action with businesses, cities, and communities worldwide. Only through our collective efforts can we accelerate the transition to a healthier, safer and wealthier future for all," said Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion.
In addition to the High-Level Climate Champion, a Youth Climate Champion will also be announced. Following a public call, the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic launched a list of 24 qualified candidates. The shortlisted young people currently undergo evaluation by the COP30 presidency.
