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cop 30 highlights

Belém, brazil, November 10–21, 2025

Jakirah Telfer, Eezu Tan and Zahra Al Hilaly represented their communities at COP30, followed negotiations, and experienced first-hand the power dynamics of international climate diplomacy. At COP30, AYFICE was also grateful to collaborate with the Pacific Islands Council of South Australia (PICSA) to form a PICSA x AYFICE delegation, alongside Rowena McDonald and Akanisi Tuikaba. Here are some of the key activities from their time on the ground.

Shadowing negotiators on key COP30 topics, including adaptation and the Global Stocktake.

Eezu with Kelsey, one of the Australian negotiators. 

Read Eezu's reflections on COP30

Meeting Jacinda Ardern and taking part in a youth round table on climate action with the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson (banner above).

Jakirah highlighted the importance of elevating First Nations leadership in climate justice on a panel Our Islands, Our Country, Our Future: Pacific and First Nations Leadership for Climate Justice hosted by Common Threads.

Zahra spoke at the People's Plenary, in front of an audience of over 20, 000 people, delivering remarks on behalf of civil society and calling for justice - centred climate action.

Watch Zahra's address

An excerpt from her address.

….We appreciate every international effort, but the truth is the scale of the need is far deeper than what it reaches today. Gaza needs clean water. It needs functional sewage systems to prevent epidemics. It needs the removal of millions of tonnes of toxic rubble left by the bombardment of our dead family members. It needs urgent climate solutions – solar energy, water recycling systems and support to rebuild local life.  So, today, our message is not polite to the United Nations. It is urgent. 

One. Count military emissions in every national inventory and climate targets, end the immunity of armies from climate accountability. 

Two. Defund it – redirect even a fraction of global military spending to climate finance, loss and damage, and community-led adaptation. 

Three. Disarm the fossil age, support the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and end the toxic alliance between fossil fuels, warfare and colonial control. 

Four. Protect those who protect life. Land and water defenders are risking everything, while governments trade weapons for silence. 

Gaza today is not a geography under bombardment, it is a global test for justice. Is justice reserved only for the most powerful? Or does it include communities deprived of clean water, clean air and safety? This is not a climate emergency – this is a peace emergency.  Until we dismantle the systems that profit from our death, there will be no justice for the living, and no freedom for the Earth itself.

Taking part in the People's Summit, marching with Indigenous leaders from the Amazon, Australia and the Pacific.