A Celebration of Culture and a Cry for Inclusion
While world leaders and diplomats convened for the official COP30 UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, a powerful parallel event was unfolding just a couple of miles away. Members of the Amazon’s diverse indigenous communities gathered at the Federal University of Para yesterday for the vibrant inauguration of the People’s Summit.
News agency pictures captured the spirit of the event, showing attendees dancing, singing, and mingling on the university grounds. The atmosphere was one of both celebration and determination, a stark contrast to the formal negotiations taking place at the main conference centre.
Frustration Boils Over into Action
This year’s UN climate conference is the first to be held in the Amazon rainforest, a symbolic choice by host country Brazil intended to amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples. However, this intention has not been fully realised for some.
Frustrations over perceived exclusion from the official proceedings contributed to a fracas on Tuesday night, where protesters attempted to force their way into the conference's restricted 'blue zone', an area reserved for accredited delegates.
At a subsequent press conference held at the People's Summit, supporters defended this direct action. Auricelia, a member of the local Arapiun community, explained that the protest was an attempt to capture the attention of the government and UN officials, highlighting the desperation of their fight for forest protection.
This sentiment was echoed by Professor Joao Santiago of the Federal University of Para, who stated, “The Indigenous movement wanted to present its demands inside the blue zone but were not allowed in.” In stark contrast, Professor Inés Antonia Santos Ribeiro emphasised the importance of the parallel summit, noting, “Here we are heard, here our voices are listened to.”
The Path Forward: A Letter and a Global March
The People’s Summit is scheduled to run from 12 to 16 November, organised in parallel with the official COP30. Over the next two days, participants will hold plenary sessions with a critical goal: to draft a formal letter outlining their demands.
This document will be delivered to the COP30 president, André Corrêa do Lago, and submitted to all conference delegates, ensuring their collective voice officially enters the record.
The summit will then culminate on Saturday as the starting point for a Global March for Climate Justice Now. Organisers expect at least 15,000 people to participate in this powerful demonstration, marching to demand immediate and equitable action for the planet.
