The recent Bonn Climate Talks faced strong criticism from climate-vulnerable nations, with YouthNet Global describing the results as a “grave injustice” to South Asia.
As climate disasters intensify across the region, the group expressed alarm at the lack of ambition and concrete commitments, particularly on adaptation and finance, ahead of the UN climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil.
Speaking from Dhaka, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, voiced frustration over the failure of wealthy countries to deliver on long-standing climate finance pledges.
“The Bonn talks have failed our people,” he said.
“The refusal to put public finance on the table while communities drown and starve is a moral failure. The UNFCCC process must serve the people—not fossil fuel giants and profit-seeking corporates.”
The talks, which ended on June 26 in Germany, were meant to build momentum toward COP30 in Belém, but observers say they largely stalled on key issues. While Brazil, the incoming COP30 presidency, has floated broad proposals like a “Global NDC” and an “Action Agenda,” there has been little clarity or substance. With less than five months left before the summit, climate advocates are calling for urgent political leadership and ambition from Brazil.
At the negotiations, progress was particularly weak on climate finance and the submission of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Only 25 countries have updated their climate plans so far, and just five are from the G20.
Major emitters like China, India, and the European Union have yet to submit updates, raising concerns about the credibility of the global climate response.
Adding to the concern is the issue of accessibility. Global South delegations have raised alarms about soaring accommodation prices in Belém, warning that it could significantly limit participation at COP30.
YouthNet Global has joined calls urging Brazil to address this logistical barrier to ensure equitable representation.
Some technical progress was made in Bonn, particularly on the Just Transition Work Programme and the Global Goal on Adaptation.
A draft on adaptation could be tabled at COP30, but talks around the UAE Dialogue on the Global Stocktake remain stalled. Many civil society voices are warning that the process risks becoming detached from the real needs of vulnerable populations.
In his closing remarks, Sohanur Rahman warned that the stakes could not be higher. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
“The future of our planet—and the lives of millions in South Asia—hang in the balance.”
He stressed that without urgent and transformative action, COP30 risks becoming another missed opportunity in the face of accelerating climate breakdown.
As climate disasters intensify across the region, the group expressed alarm at the lack of ambition and concrete commitments, particularly on adaptation and finance, ahead of the UN climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil.
Speaking from Dhaka, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, voiced frustration over the failure of wealthy countries to deliver on long-standing climate finance pledges.
“The Bonn talks have failed our people,” he said.
“The refusal to put public finance on the table while communities drown and starve is a moral failure. The UNFCCC process must serve the people—not fossil fuel giants and profit-seeking corporates.”
The talks, which ended on June 26 in Germany, were meant to build momentum toward COP30 in Belém, but observers say they largely stalled on key issues. While Brazil, the incoming COP30 presidency, has floated broad proposals like a “Global NDC” and an “Action Agenda,” there has been little clarity or substance. With less than five months left before the summit, climate advocates are calling for urgent political leadership and ambition from Brazil.
At the negotiations, progress was particularly weak on climate finance and the submission of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Only 25 countries have updated their climate plans so far, and just five are from the G20.
Major emitters like China, India, and the European Union have yet to submit updates, raising concerns about the credibility of the global climate response.
Adding to the concern is the issue of accessibility. Global South delegations have raised alarms about soaring accommodation prices in Belém, warning that it could significantly limit participation at COP30.
YouthNet Global has joined calls urging Brazil to address this logistical barrier to ensure equitable representation.
Some technical progress was made in Bonn, particularly on the Just Transition Work Programme and the Global Goal on Adaptation.
A draft on adaptation could be tabled at COP30, but talks around the UAE Dialogue on the Global Stocktake remain stalled. Many civil society voices are warning that the process risks becoming detached from the real needs of vulnerable populations.
In his closing remarks, Sohanur Rahman warned that the stakes could not be higher. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
“The future of our planet—and the lives of millions in South Asia—hang in the balance.”
He stressed that without urgent and transformative action, COP30 risks becoming another missed opportunity in the face of accelerating climate breakdown.
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