Countdown: 150 days left until the Amazon COP
The largest climate event of the UN will take place in November. Works are already being delivered for the benefit of the population
There are exactly 150 days left until the largest climate event on the planet, COP30, which will take place in Belém from November 10 to 21. The landscape of the capital of Pará has already gained new contours in preparation for the COP. Macro-drainage, sanitation, mobility, and urban development works are being delivered, transforming the lives of 2 million people.
Among the deliveries already made by the Government of Pará are the paving of 150 streets, the construction of three new overpasses, the macro-drainage of 3 channels, and the renovation of six schools that will serve as accommodation during the event.
Partnership for COP30 and for the population
The Government of Pará is working in partnership with the Federal and Municipal governments to ensure that the Forest COP is the best COP ever held, while leaving a legacy of development for the people of Pará. The State Government is strictly following the schedule of infrastructure works under its responsibility. There are R$ 4.5 billion in works linked to investments for the COP, which directly meet the real demands of the population of Pará. The resources come from the State Treasury, BNDES, Itaipu, and Caixa Econômica Federal.
City Park - Built on an area of 500,000 m2 of an old airport, the City Park will host COP30 and is one of the great legacies of the COP for Belém. The final project of the park includes the Aviation Museum, a creative economy center, a gastronomic boulevard, a bike path, and an eco-trail, preserved green areas, an artificial lake, and sports facilities aimed at promoting quality of life, leisure, culture, art, and well-being.
Porto Futuro II - The 5 warehouses granted by the Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP) to the State Government are being renovated and will be transformed into a leisure and gastronomy complex, which will be a new tourist spot in the city. With space for valuing popular culture, Amazonian history, gastronomic experiences, and also the biodiversity of Pará, this space will provide a new experience for visitors.
New opportunities - The investments for COP30 also represent an increase in job generation for the population of Pará. More than five thousand direct and indirect jobs have been created with the COP works.
In addition, the Government is qualifying the workforce with the Capacita COP 30 program. Developed by the government of Pará with the support of partners such as Senac, Coca-Cola, EF Education First, IFPA, Sesi, and other entities, the program aims to prepare and qualify workers through free courses in the areas of gastronomy, tourism, languages, hospitality, large event planning, and security. Classes are in-person and also in EAD mode. So far, 22,000 people have received their certificates, expanding their job and income opportunities.
Student Cleide Camile, 20, completed three courses offered by the Capacita COP 30 Program: basic English, advanced English, and planning for organizing tourist events. She also wants to volunteer at the COP. “I am very happy to be able to qualify, improve my English, and learn new things. I want to be able to work at the COP, to help. The world will get to know our city and hospitality,” she says.
Volunteering - Another novelty announced in June that sparked the interest of young people and adults was the COP 30 Volunteering Program, a unique opportunity for participants to enrich their resumes, understand how a climate conference is held, expand their network of contacts, and experience international experiences. At the end of the COP, volunteers will receive a certificate issued by the United Nations (UN) and can use the document and the training course as a complementary activity in educational institutions.
Teacher and nurse Patrícia Gomes, a resident of the Parque Guajará neighborhood, is excited about the possibility of being one of the volunteers at COP 30. She applied on the first day of registration and does not hide her desire to serve the city of Belém. She believes in the transformative power of education and wants to add the experience of being an educator to the knowledge acquired in the training course.
“As I work in the health area, I see that it is very important to discuss the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; with solid and assertive actions, we can improve people's quality of life. With this event, we can boost environmental education,” said the teacher.
“Another motivating factor is seeing the northern region at the center of the world, my Belém being chosen to host something so emblematic. It will be very enjoyable to work as a volunteer, to see people from various places getting to know and loving our gastronomy and admiring our beauties,” celebrates Patrícia.
Structural works - The preparation actions for COP30 directly impact the lives of the population in various neighborhoods of Belém. Dona Vânia Neves has lived on Gentil Bittencourt Avenue for over forty years and says she is relieved and happy with the benefits provided by the works on the section of the Gentil canal delivered by the State Government in January of this year.
“We are living a historic year, with gigantic works being done here in the neighborhood. My husband and I are very happy and satisfied. We have been waiting for this for a long time, and I can only thank the governor for bringing so much good,” said Neves.
Asphalt - In Belém, Rua da Marinha is receiving an asphalt paving service that involves the extension and duplication of 3.5 km, in addition to increasing the lanes from two to six, with two sections connected by a roundabout, promoting greater traffic flow and urban integration.
Dona Aurenir, a resident of the area, is happy with the ongoing works and, even before the completion of the service, believes that the initiative will bring many benefits. “The widening of Rua da Marinha represents an improvement for us, as we will have less traffic, new access roads to Almirante Barroso. Everything has started to improve, even for those who have businesses; it will add value,” she claims.
Text: Carolina Maia
