COP30: Conference Interpreting to Enable Global Climate Talks

About COP30
Every year, the UN Climate Change Conference brings together thousands of delegates, institutions, and international organizations for days of continuous meetings, negotiations, and public sessions. For COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the stakes were at an all-time high: A massive, fast-paced event across dozens of venues as part of a collective effort on climate action. But behind the scenes, Acolad and Interactio worked together to deliver critical interpreting infrastructure ensuring participants from all over the word, regardless of their language, could participate.

11 days of meetings

150+ expert interpreters

20+ tech specialists

885 interpreting sessions

The Challenge

Delivering Interpreting in Unpredictable Conditions

In a temporary city spanning 200,000 square meters, the scale of COP30 was matched by its unpredictability.

Interpreting had to be delivered across a rapidly evolving event environment, with frequent last-minute schedule changes, overlapping sessions, and infrastructure constraints. In several venues, rapid adjustments to room usage, equipment, and staffing were required.

Any disruption to interpreting may have resulted in delayed sessions, reduced participation, and loss of confidence among delegates and organizers. The challenge was not simply volume but keeping the dialogue moving under constant operational pressure.

To handle this complexity, Acolad and Interactio - the remote simultaneous interpreting platform provider – served as the central point for all moving parts.

"For an event of this scale, partnership with all relevant stakeholders and a holistic approach are essential. In an agile approach, our expert team navigated complexities, anticipated issues and found solutions quickly to prevent impacts on service delivery."

Giulia Silvestrini, Head of Global Interpreting, Acolad

The Solution

A Flexible Interpreting Setup for a Complex International Event

While the venue was still being finished, Acolad coordinated interpreting implementation across venues technology partner Interactio. The team did not just respond to changes. It planned for them.

Interpreting was delivered through a mix of remote and on-site interpreting, so sessions could continue even as rooms, access, and schedules changed - or take place entirely virtually. Interpreters with experience in diplomatic and institutional settings were assigned based on the language combination, topic, and session format. Coverage included the six official UN languages, plus Brazilian Portuguese and Italian.

A central team coordinated interpreters, technical teams, and live session delivery, actively managing last-minute changes to minimize the impact for organizers and delegates.

Keeping Sessions Running Through Remote Simultaneous Interpreting

Remote interpreting played a key role in maintaining continuity in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing environment.

This hybrid approach was designed to provide stability despite infrastructural complexity, evolving agendas, and environmental constraints, ensuring interpreting remained available wherever and whenever it was needed.

"Interpretation was the invisible backbone of this summit. Together, Interactio and Acolad supported collective dialogue throughout this complex event; our teams worked side by side, adapting to every shift and challenge, and deploying agile interpreting solutions to address rapidly-changing needs."

Alexsejus Zubcovas, COP30 Commercial Lead, Interactio

The Results

Continued Dialogue Across a Global Summit

Throughout the summit, interpreting remained steady despite constant changes on the ground. Delegates could stay focused on the discussions rather than the language logistics. In Belém, where clear communication was essential to international cooperation, Acolad helped make sure participants could follow, contribute, and be understood across the event.

Continuous Coverage: Interpreting remained available throughout the summit, so conversations could continue without language gaps.
Connected Delivery: Sessions across 44 conference rooms and 15 pavilions were supported through one coordinated interpreting setup.
Hybrid Flexibility: On-site and remote interpreting combined to keep sessions running.
Operational Resilience: Interpreting continued even as plans shifted in challenging conditions.