Since 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) has been the global stage where countries from all over the world negotiate climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These annual gatherings have produced landmark agreements, stirred controversy, and spurred international climate commitments.
At COP30 in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, the spotlight returned to critical issues like emission reductions, tropical forest preservation, and climate finance.
Click on for a detailed look at COP’s history, controversies, and pivotal decisions from the most recent conference.