On November 10, 2025, the 13th High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate Change was successfully convened at the China Pavilion during the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, attended the event and delivered an opening remark. Mr. Li Gao, Head of the Chinese Delegation and Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, together with Mr.Liu Zhenmin, China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change co-chaired the forum. Mr. Zhao Yingmin, President of BRI International Green Development Coalition, also attended the event.

Minister Huang emphasized that climate change constitutes a severe common challenge facing humanity. Amidst headwinds in global climate governance caused by disruptive factors such as some country withdrawing from the process, strengthening South-South cooperation is crucial for advancing the global climate governance process and fully implementing the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. As a responsible developing country, China has remained committed to promoting South-South cooperation on climate change. Through flagship initiatives including the "Africa Solar Belt", "Clean Cookstoves" "Early Warning", as well as efforts in building low-carbon demonstration zones and providing capacity-building support, China has effectively supported other developing countries in addressing climate change.

Mr. André Corrêa do Lago, President of COP30, attended the forum, extending warm congratulations on its successful opening and acknowledging its significant role in consolidating global consensus on climate governance and advancing the implementation of South-South cooperation. Distinguished guests in attendance included Ms. Ana Toni, CEO of COP30; Mr. Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations; Ms. Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC; Ms. Kitty van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF; and high-level representatives from Gabon, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Antigua and Barbuda, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guyana, and other countries. They highly commended China's efforts and achievements in advancing South-South cooperation on climate change and expressed willingness to continue deepening practical cooperation with China in this field.

During the forum, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China launched the Clean Cookstoves Flagship Program under South-South Cooperation on Climate Change. This initiative will provide adapted clean cookstoves and technical support to Global South countries, aiming to reduce carbon and pollutant emissions from cooking activities, enhance recipient countries' climate resilience, and achieve the dual goals of improving people's livelihoods and promoting green and low-carbon development.

Additionally, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNICEF on cooperation in climate change and children. The two sides will deepen South-South cooperation on climate action, jointly promote the sharing of China's best practices with Global South countries, and strengthen developing countries' capacity to address climate change. Furthermore, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China and the environmental authority of Antigua and Barbuda signed the Acceptance Letter for the first batch of photovoltaic assistance materials.

The forum also featured a thematic seminar titled "South-South Cooperation Leading Green Low-Carbon Transition," where in-depth discussions were held on the implementation pathways and cooperation models of key initiatives such as the "Africa Solar Belt" and the "Clean Cookstoves".

Guided by the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, the forum was co-organized by the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the BRI International Green Development Coalition.