San Marino Among Few Nations Not Attending COP30
The Republic of San Marino has been identified as one of only four nations not participating in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), currently underway in Belém, Brazil. The conference, a critical global gathering for climate action, is taking place from November 10 to 21, 2025.
Alongside San Marino, the other nations not registering a delegation for the summit are Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the United States. This marks a rare instance of non-participation for the United States, which has historically sent delegations to previous COPs.
COP30: A Pivotal Moment for Global Climate Action
COP30 serves as the global decision-making body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), bringing together nearly 200 nations. Key expectations for the conference include the presentation of new national climate action plans (NDCs), progress on the finance roadmap from COP29, and discussions on scaling up innovative climate finance mechanisms. The event is hosted at the Hangar Convention Centre in Belém, Brazil.
San Marino's Climate Commitments Despite Absence
Despite its absence from COP30, San Marino has a documented history of engagement with international climate efforts. As one of the smallest and least populous countries globally, it is entirely dependent on external imports for fuel and energy production.
The microstate joined the climate mitigation efforts of the UNFCCC and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 2005 levels by 2030. Its strategy to achieve this goal includes improving energy efficiency in buildings and developing infrastructure for solar power generation. San Marino was also among the first states to sign the Framework Convention on Climate Change and ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2010, demonstrating a commitment to adopting laws that promote energy saving and the use of renewable resources.
Context of Non-Participation
The reasons for San Marino's non-participation at COP30 were not explicitly detailed in available reports. However, the provisional lists of delegates published by the UNFCCC confirmed its absence. The overall attendance at COP30 is substantial, with more than 56,000 delegates registered, making it one of the largest COPs in history.
6 Comments
ZmeeLove
While it's easy to dismiss a microstate's absence, every nation's participation reinforces the global commitment to climate action. Their past efforts are noted, but showing up is still a significant part of the collective effort.
Habibi
Good for San Marino for prioritizing local efforts. Conferences are often just talk anyway.
Bermudez
It's true San Marino has a strong climate history, but not attending COP30 means they miss out on key discussions and networking. Perhaps logistical challenges played a role, but their voice would still be valuable.
Mariposa
Considering their size and energy dependence, San Marino's climate goals are impressive. Yet, their absence from the global forum means they can't directly influence the larger agenda or advocate for specific needs as a microstate.
Bella Ciao
Unacceptable for any nation to skip such a crucial global event, regardless of size.
ZmeeLove
They already have strong domestic climate commitments. Attending might be an unnecessary expense for them.