Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) will not participate in this year's climate summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil. She says this in a written comment to Ritzau. The withdrawal from the climate summit takes place on the same day that the EU has adopted a new climate target for 2040.
- Now the EU can go to COP30 in Brazil with a clear plan and an appeal to the world to follow suit. Unfortunately, I will not participate in COP30 myself, as there are local elections, says Mette Frederiksen in the comment.
The Prime Minister usually participates in the high-level part of the opening days of the climate summit. This year it will take place on 6 and 7 November, while the local elections are on 18 November. This year, Mette Frederiksen will concentrate on the local election campaign. The climate diplomacy tasks will therefore be solved with Climate Minister Lars Aagaard (M) at the helm.
- I am confident in the strong team that Denmark is fielding - and with the Climate Minister in a central role as a negotiator for the EU, says Mette Frederiksen.
It is unusual that the Danish Prime Minister is not participating in the climate summit. Last year, Mette Frederiksen even expressed her disappointment that heads of state from other countries cancelled COP29 in Azerbaijan.
- I am here myself because I think it is important that we are someone who continues to push the international climate agenda. There are lots of different explanations for why there are cancellations. But we can at least note that there are not as many as usual. I hope it will look different next year, she said.
This year's summit in Brazil will, however, be without the Danish head of state. Several other large European countries are sending their heads of state. This applies to countries such as Germany, Spain, Portugal and Finland, for example.
Opt-out meets criticism
The Prime Minister's opt-out is criticized by several NGOs.
- It is most strange that Denmark, as a self-proclaimed green pioneer country, is not attending the meeting. Right now it is more important than ever that heads of state take responsibility and show that the climate is not a secondary issue, says John Nordbo, climate advisor at Care.
DanmarksChurchAid is also disappointed.
- It is a shame that Denmark is not participating at the level of head of state, especially considering Denmark's important role at this climate summit. The next two weeks will be a diplomatic tightrope walk, and all opportunities to build trust should be used, says climate advisor Mattias Söderberg.
/ritzau/
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