The demonstrators, who come largely from the Amazon states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Pará, focused their concerns on activities in the Tapajós and Xingu River basins. Security forces, including the army, were called in as access to the restricted negotiation area was halted.
COP30 Executive Director Ana Toni described the protest as “legitimate” and emphasised that the government is engaging with Indigenous concerns. Protesters were directed to meet with the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara, and the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva.
Toni noted that COP30 has drawn more than 900 Indigenous participants, a significant rise from the 300 who took part at last year’s summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. She said hosting the climate conference in the Amazon was intended to strengthen Indigenous participation and ensure their voices are heard. “Brazil has a strong democracy that allows for different forms of protest, both inside and outside the conference,” she added.
Indigenous youth participants said the protest reflects both the urgency of their demands and the value of being present at an international forum. Amanda Pankará, from the Pankará people in Pernambuco, Toni said that COP30 offers a much-needed platform for visibility.
“We are claiming the right to land, the right to life… Being here today, representing those who haven’t had the opportunity to be here, reinforces our presence and responsibility,” she said.
Many Indigenous leaders have described COP30 as the most inclusive climate conference they have attended. Chilean youth representative Emiliano Medina, from the Mapuche people, said demonstrations remain an essential tool to highlight gaps in climate policy.
“Similar demonstrations have been taking place around the world in communities affected by climate change,” he said.
Toni added that more demonstrations are expected throughout the summit, stressing that holding COP30 in the Amazon was meant to ensure that demands from Indigenous communities are heard.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
