City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were will travel to Brazil next month to attend the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

C40 is a global network of mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis.

The summit will be held from 3 to 5 November in the lead up to COP30, the 30th annual meeting of the 198 signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Belem from 10 to 21 November.

The Mayor was invited to join Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith’s delegation to the summit, which brings together mayors from nearly 100 cities to focus on climate change and urban sustainability.

“It's a chance for Onkaparinga to be part of a global conversation and showcase the work of local government in South Australia,” she says.

“The visit also supports Adelaide’s bid to host COP31 next year, which – if secured – is expected to generate over $500 million in economic benefits to our state, boost off-peak tourism demand and attract new investment in green technology. 

“These benefits would flow to Onkaparinga businesses and communities, and give us exposure on the world stage.”

Mayor Were says all travel and accommodation costs are being covered by the Local Government Association (LGA) of South Australia. 

“As a board member of the LGA and Chair of the Greater Adelaide Regional Organisation of Councils, I’m attending in a broader leadership role.

“The remaining costs are to be self-funded. The trip isn’t being funded by the City of Onkaparinga, and I don’t intend to claim reimbursements for incidentals, which I indicated to the CEO before the trip was approved by elected members at the 14 October Council meeting.”

The Mayor has faced questions about whether it is appropriate for her to attend the summit, given the hardship faced by the local community with cost-of-living pressures and the effects of the algal bloom.

“I agree that local governments must prioritise local issues, and addressing climate change impacts is one of the most challenging local issues we face, as evidenced by the current harmful algal bloom that’s seriously impacting our coastline,” she says.