WCC News: Interfaith gathering opens Zoom doors worldwide for COP30 ethical dialogue in Belém

As world leaders prepare to negotiate the future of climate action in Belém, faith leaders will meet both in person and online on 10 November to ensure ethical voices are heard at COP30. The hybrid gathering at the Lutheran Church in Belém runs from 11:00am to 2:00pm GMT-3, with participants joining via Zoom from around the world to engage in Talanoa Dialogue - a Fijian Indigenous problem-solving practice - and address the ethical dimensions of climate action. 30 November 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay speaks as people gather for a so-called Talanoa dialogue at the (Anglican) Christ Church Jebel Ali in Dubai, in connection with the United Nations climate summit COP28. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert 06 November 2025 The Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC is bringing together representatives from many different faith traditions. They will explore how faith communities can help rebuild trust and cooperation in climate negotiations. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee, will participate alongside Brazilian Catholic activist Moema Miranda from Churches and Mining, Lindsey Fielder Cook from the Quaker United Nations Office, and Nonie Reaño from Brahma Kumaris. Participants will explore three critical questions through Talanoa dialogue: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? Small group discussions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese will give space for people of faith to share their initiatives, concerns, and hopes. "As members of faith communities, we have made significant contributions to tackling the immense challenges posed by climate change through advocacy, mobilisation, capacity building, and education," organisers stated. "This gathering offers space for hope and connection as climate justice advocates begin the hard work of COP30." Rev. Henrik Grape, WCC senior advisor for Care for Creation, Sustainability, and Climate Justice and co-chair of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC, and Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, will facilitate group discussions. People of faith and climate advocates worldwide are invited to join via Zoom here Follow WCC's COP30 coverage at www.oikoumene.org/cop30 Click here to join the WhatsApp channel Daily COP30 updates connect churches to climate negotiations (News Release, 5 November) WCC calls COP30 a "kairos moment" for climate transformation (News Release, 4 November) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland