Hosting COP-30 in Belém was a powerful decision. For the first time, the global climate summit took place not near the Amazon, but within it. This alone changed the tone of the discussions. The forest was no longer an abstract concept discussed in conference rooms far away; it became a lived reality, visible in the landscape, the climate, the food, and the people.
Belém faced enormous logistical pressure. Accommodation capacity was stretched, transportation required careful coordination, and the city operated at an unprecedented intensity. Yet what stood out was not only the challenge, but the adaptability. Local actors, institutions and service providers worked under demanding conditions to ensure that delegations, media and organizations could operate effectively. For many Nordic participants, this was their first extended experience in the Amazon region. Belém challenged preconceived ideas and showed itself not as a peripheral city, but as a strategic Amazonian capital with growing relevance for global discussions on sustainability, bioeconomy and innovation.
Innovation and Solutions Presented by Brazil
One of the most striking aspects of COP-30 in Belém was how strongly Brazil positioned itself as a country of solutions, not only of challenges. The dominant narrative was not one of crisis alone, but of innovation rooted in local knowledge, science and practice.
Across events, exhibitions and informal meetings, Brazilian initiatives demonstrated concrete approaches to climate mitigation and adaptation: bioeconomy projects, nature-based solutions, sustainable urban planning, and research developed in close connection with the forest and its communities.
What personally inspired me most was seeing how millennia-old Amazonian knowledge of biodiversity is increasingly being translated into scalable, value-added solutions. The use of nuts, plants and trees in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food supplements is growing rapidly, creating a development model that generates income for cooperatives and local communities while preserving — and in some cases regenerating — the forest itself.
Ingredients such as andiroba, copaíba, murumuru, cupuaçu and cumaru are still largely unfamiliar to Norwegian ears. Yet they are already being integrated into the products of forward thinking, sustainability-driven skincare and cosmetic brands in markets like France, Germany and the UK. These ingredients are organic, cold-pressed and traceable, aligning closely with European demands for transparency, quality and environmental responsibility.
Not everything, however, is simple or resolved. Scaling production, securing investment, ensuring logistics and maintaining quality standards remain serious and real challenges.
However, what I observed in Belém was a more mature and coordinated movement to elevate the Amazonianbioeconomy from isolated initiatives to structured ecosystems. A clear example of this shift is the inauguration of the Parque da Bioeconomia e Inovação da Amazônia by the state government of Pará — a pioneering initiative signaling a transition from pilot projects to long term economic infrastructure.
Indigenous Presence at the Core of the Conversation .
lAnother defining element of COP-30 was the strong and visible presence of Indigenous representatives. Unlike previous international summits where Indigenous voices were often confined to parallel events, in Belém they were part of the central dialogue.
Indigenous leaders participated as speakers, experts and decision-makers, bringing perspectives that combined environmental stewardship, territorial management and long-term sustainability. Their contributions were not symbolic; they were practical and strategic, rooted in centuries of lived experience.
For many Nordic delegates, this presence was both impactful and instructive. Traditional knowledge was presented not as folklore, but as a form of climate technology — offering insights into biodiversity protection, water management and resilience that complement scientific and technological approaches.
Culture, Tourism and the Power of Responsible Travel.
Beyond formal meetings, culture and tourism played an important role in shaping how Belém was experienced during COP-30. The summit demonstrated the power of tourism when developed in a socially responsible, sustainable and regenerative way. Properly designed, tourism can generate income for local populations, small entrepreneurs and river communities, while valuing local culture and keeping the rainforest standing.
COP-30 gave Belém unprecedented international exposure to a highly qualified and influential audience — visitors who are environmentally conscious, culturally curious and appreciative of creative gastronomy and music. The city did not hide its challenges. Structural problems, social inequality, gaps in infrastructure and large parts of the historic center still in need of renovation were clearly visible, including beautiful but poorly maintained buildings. For many experiencing the Amazon for the first time, COP-30 sparked something lasting: a genuine desire to return, to explore more deeply, and to engage with the region beyond headlines. This alone sends a powerful message about the role of tourism as a driver of sustainable development and long-term connection.
Closing the Loop: Trade, Trust and Long-Term Partnership
COP-30 in Belém was more than a global event; it was a statement. Brazil demonstrated its capacity to host, to innovate, to include diverse voices and to collaborate at a high level. Belém, in turn, emerged as a city of strategic importance for the future of Amazon-centered cooperation.
In this context, the recent free trade agreement between EFTA and Mercosur opens a new chapter. It creates concrete opportunities to move from dialogue to implementation — from aid to trade.
For Norway, a country internationally recognized for its sustainability standards, transparency and long-term perspective, this agreement offers the possibility to take a leading role as a premium market for Amazonian-based solutions.
High-quality, traceable and sustainably sourced products — whether in bioeconomy, culture or tourism — align naturally with Norwegian values and consumer expectations.
By engaging with these sectors, Norway can help generate income for local communities, strengthen cooperative structures and contribute to forest preservation through responsible market demand – the Amazon — can become a cornerstone of a new, sustainable relationship with the Nordic countries, delivering value for people, planet and business alike.
Article by : Rodrigo Braz Vieira – BNCC member.
