As part of the Brazilian scientific delegation to COP29, Prof. Regina Rodrigues (Atlantic Region Panel and Marine Heatwaves co-chair) participated in various events. Representing the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Rodrigues was a speaker at the UNFCCC Side Event on "Ocean-Climate-Society: Multisector approach for mitigation, adaptation, finance & capacity building". The panel discussed ocean adaptation and mitigation actions using a multi-stakeholder approach, including the use of blue finance and cooperation across governance structures and conventions to better support capacity building. Prof. Rodrigues also liaised with members of the global scientific community to plan future participation in COP30, which will be held in Brazil next year. The Brazilian Presidency wants to put Science at the front of COP again, and WCRP will contribute to this effort.

Letizia Tedesco (Northern Oceans Panel) organized and co-chaired three side events during the first week of COP29. These included: "Vanishing Sea Ice, Changing Oceans: Why It Matters for Climate, Marine Ecosystems, and People" at the Ocean Pavilion; "Antarctic Sea Ice at a Crossroads: Status Quo and Future Implications"; and "Vanishing Sea Ice: What It Means for Our Oceans and Ecosystems" at the Cryosphere Pavilion. For more details, read the BEPSII news here. During the event, Dr. Tedesco, alongside Jacqueline Stefels (Co-Chairs of the Biogeochemical Exchange Processes at Sea-Ice Interfaces (BEPSII)), initiated an urgent statement from the scientific community on the cryosphere. This statement, titled "An S.O.S. From the Poles to World Leaders at COP29" was endorsed by 20 international scientific organizations, including the World Climate Research Program (WCRP), the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and the European Polar Board (EPB). The open letter is available here.