COP30 in Belém: A City Divided by Sewage

Belém's Sanitation Shortfall: COP30 Preparations Expose Inequality Belém, Brazil, is preparing to host COP30 in November 2025. The Pará state government has announced ambitious sanitation projects, claiming to benefit 500,000 people. However, a recent investigation by Folha de S.Paulo reveals a starkly different reality. On-the-ground reporting shows that the improvements reach only a fraction of the population, with sewage collection impacting just 3% of Belém's residents, or approximately 40,000 people. "You walk around the city and you see the sewage; you see it and you smell it," says Alexa Salomão, the reporter who conducted the investigation. The video showcases areas where new pipes are being laid, juxtaposed with scenes of overflowing canals and neglected neighborhoods. One resident from the Matafome area, a peripheral community, described their situation: "There's nothing here, no sanitation at all." The report also highlights how some of the projects appear to be focused on wealthier areas, leaving behind the most vulnerable populations. The contrast between the government's claims and the conditions faced by many Belém residents raises serious questions about the equity and effectiveness of the COP30 preparations. The Folha de S.Paulo investigation serves as a crucial reminder of the need for inclusive and transparent development projects.