2. Evaluation Criteria
Events selected to be part of the pavilion program will advance the Canada Pavilion objectives, showcase Canadian climate leadership and action in one or more of the thematic priorities, and help deliver on the overarching goals of showcasing diversity, inclusion, and collaboration.

Event leads should consider all factors listed in this applicant arrangement when developing their proposals. During the evaluation stage, events will be assessed against the following criteria:

Relevance to the Canada Pavilion Priorities
Events that strongly advance one or more of the Canada pavilion priorities (listed above) will be given priority.

Alignment with COP30 Thematic Days
Events that showcase Canadian implementation and leadership, advance action, or encourage partnership in one or more of the Presidency’s Thematic Days and/or Indigenous Climate Leadership Day will be given priority.


International Relevance
Priority will be given to events with a clearly defined target audience that overlaps with the general makeup of COP delegates. This means having events that appeal, and are relevant, to both Canadian and international audiences.

Convening Power of Speakers
The convening power of the UNFCCC COP is enormous, with over 50,000 delegates representing key political, business, and non-governmental leaders. Events should take advantage of this convening power and leverage the profile of those in attendance at COP. Recognizing that not every event will include a high-profile speaker, events will nevertheless be reviewed against the convening power of proposed speakers and preference will be given to those with broad appeal (e.g. key political, international organization, or non-governmental leaders).

Creative and Innovative Event Formats
Audience engagement is a key tool in the effective transfer of information, catalyzing impact and action through learning. Events that can attract a broad audience through unique and dynamic formats will be given additional consideration.

Partnership and Diverse Perspectives
Collaboration with diverse stakeholders is crucial for creating innovative and effective solutions for climate action. COP30 is an opportunity for widespread collaboration across countries, sectors, and areas of expertise. As such, events that are created through collaboration with partner organizations are highly encouraged, and priority may be given to events that partner, where applicable, with their provincial/territorial government, with international organizations, and/or with Indigenous partners.

Official Languages
The Canada Pavilion must reflect both official languages. Priority will be given to events that are delivered bilingually or in French. Exceptions may be made in specific instances to achieve other representational goals (e.g., Indigenous-led events).

International Representation
Events will be assessed against the degree to which they include international voices via individual speakers or partner organizations.

Regional Representation
Canada is home to a range of regions, with diversity in landscape, nature, people, and priorities. To better ensure a range of Canadian voices are heard, events will be assessed against the degree to which they offer diverse regional perspectives from across Canada.

Indigenous Representation
Events will be assessed against the degree to which they meaningfully include Indigenous voices in the creation and execution of their events. Additional consideration will be given to those events that amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples from remote communities on the front lines of climate change.

Gender
Events will be assessed against the degree to which they have gender diversity among their speakers.

Youth Representation
Events will be assessed against the degree to which they include youth voices (aged 34 years and younger) in the creation and delivery of their events.

Additional Underrepresented Groups
Events will be assessed against the degree to which they consider the perspectives, and amplify the voices, of historically underrepresented groups in Canada.

3. Event Lead Responsibilities
Identify Point(s) of Contact
The Event Lead is responsible for identifying:
• A single point of contact that will interface with the Event Management Team regarding all aspects of their event in the lead up to COP30.
• A single point of contact that will interface with the Event Management Team on-site during COP30. This individual must be on-site.
*Note: This can be the same individual or two different individuals

Identify Speakers
The Event Lead is responsible for identifying, reaching out to, and confirming all speakers that will participate in their event, except for Canadian Federal Ministers. ECCC will manage correspondence with any Canadian Federal Ministers you wish to have participate in your event. (More details are provided on the intake form).

Manage Speakers
The Event Lead agrees to:
• Review speaker responsibilities and code of conduct with all speakers, and confirm agreement of such, prior to their involvement in the event.
• Relay all critical event information with speakers including, but not limited to, accreditation information, event date and time, Pavilion location, and run of show.
• Where possible, conduct a meeting to review the run of show with all speakers prior to the event.
• Liaise with speakers while on-site (On-site Event Lead).

Manage Partners
The Event Lead is responsible for liaising and communicating with additional event partners who are supporting the planning and delivery of their event.

Meet Deadlines
The Event Lead agrees to meet all deadlines associated with, but not limited to, confirming speakers, preparing event descriptions, preparing event runs of show, identifying audio-visual and equipment needs, etc. and understands that missing deadlines could impact the ability to include their event in Pavilion program promotional material, and could result in the removal of their event from the Pavilion program.

Notification of Any Changes
The Event Lead agrees to notify the Event Management Team immediately of any changes to the event run of show or if for any reason any speaker(s) is(are) unable to meet their obligations. If an original presenter is unable to attend, it is the Event Lead’s responsibility to recommend a substitute presenter of comparable expertise and background for approval by ECCC.
*Note: ECCC reserves the right to decline new speakers.

Identify and Manage Audio-Visual Needs
The Event Lead agrees to confirm any audio-visual needs with the Event Management Team. Any extraordinary items required by the Event Lead are the responsibility of the Event Lead and the Event Lead agrees to ship/transport these to the Canada Pavilion to arrive in time for their event.

Participate in Two Mandatory Event Lead Briefings
The Event Lead agrees to participate in two bilingual mandatory Canada Pavilion Event Briefings.

Participate in On-site Event Lead Briefings
The Event Lead agrees to arrive at the Canada Pavilion 45 minutes prior to their event start time for an on-site briefing with the Event Management Team. (On-site Event Lead).

Promote the Canada Pavilion
The Event Lead agrees to amplify promotion of the Canada Pavilion on their social media channels in accordance with communication guidelines.

4. Speaker Responsibilities
Be Present
There will be a preference for in-person participation for sessions at the Canada Pavilion. However, the Government of Canada will be looking into the technical feasibility of remote participation to facilitate broader contribution, particularly for underrepresented groups.

All speakers included in the Event Proposal will present a session at COP30 within the dates of November 10 to 21, 2025.

Speakers agree to arrive 30 minutes prior to their session time for final instruction by the Event Management Team. All speakers confirm they will present the session as agreed in the approved run of show and presentation description. No substantive changes in content or presenters are made without prior written request submitted to the Event Management Team for ECCC’s final approval.

Presenting Skills
Speakers should have the ability to inspire, entertain, and engage our audience through interactive presentations or workshops providing practical takeaways. Speakers shall understand how to address and teach adults. This includes, at a minimum, coordination of oral and visual information, and the ability to interact positively with the audience. Speakers should avoid reading material from the slide presentation. Slide material should touch only on the key points of the presentation.

Pitch / Ads – No Commercials
Speakers agree not to sell or promote any product, service, or publication during any presentation. Distributing or handing out a company’s promotional literature is prohibited inside the Canada Pavilion.

Political Views
During the presentation, speakers will refrain from partisan political views and will ensure a balanced representation of perspectives to reflect Canada’’s diversity.

Inclusivity
Speakers agree to the provided speaking policies and pledge to embrace the diversity of all individuals; to respect attributes such as sex, gender identification, race, ethnicity, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status, religion, physical ability, mental ability, and expression. All speakers understand and support the importance of inclusion, safety of expression, and respect for different points of view.

5. Travel & Accommodations
The Event Lead is responsible for all expenses associated with their presentation. This includes, but is not limited to, travel, accommodations, speaker fees, shipping of additional material, additional setup, etc.

6. Intellectual Property Rights to Recording and Materials
The Event Lead warrants and represents that the presentation is original work, factually accurate, and contains nothing libelous or otherwise unlawful. The Event Lead has the authority to enter this Arrangement and is sole copyright holder or has obtained all necessary permissions or licenses from any persons or organizations whose material is included or used in the presentation.

7. Compensation
Speaking Compensation
ECCC will not provide any compensation to Event Leads (and their speakers) for their involvement in the Canada Pavilion. ECCC can support with accreditation for COP30, if required.

Travel & Accommodation
All expenses incurred to travel to participate in the Canada Pavilion are the responsibility of the Event Lead and will not be reimbursed by ECCC or the Event Management Team.

Audio Visual / Equipment
All expenses related to extraordinary items required by the Event Lead for the delivery of their event are the responsibility of the Event Lead and will not be reimbursed by ECCC or the Event Management Team.

Financial Assistance
ECCC is not able to provide financial assistance to cover event costs. Some exceptions may be made to facilitate the participation of underrepresented individuals (e.g. Indigenous Peoples, youth, visible minorities, etc.) on special request, as part of your initial application.

8. Indemnification
The Event Lead agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend ECCC and the Event Management Team from and against any losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of any third-party claim arising out of the Event Lead’s breach of the representations or warranties made by the Event Lead in this Arrangement.

9. Code of Conduct
All speakers have read the Code of Conduct for UNFCCC Events (https://unfccc.int/about-us/code-of-conduct-for-unfccc-conferences-meetings-and-events) and agree to act in accordance with these codes.