A Celebration of Culture and a Cry for Inclusion
While official COP30 negotiations continued in their dedicated zone, a powerful parallel event sprang to life just a couple of miles away. Members of the Amazon's diverse indigenous communities gathered at the Federal University of Para in Belém for the inauguration of the People's Summit.
Vibrant images captured by news agencies showed attendees dancing, singing, and mingling on the university grounds. The atmosphere was one of both celebration and determination, a stark contrast to the formal proceedings of the main UN climate conference.
Frustration Boils Over into Action
The choice of Belém, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, was intended by host country Brazil to amplify indigenous voices. However, this report highlights that many community members have felt excluded from the crucial discussions happening inside the official 'blue zone'.
This frustration reportedly culminated in a protest on Tuesday night, where activists attempted to enter the restricted area for accredited delegates. At a press conference held during the People's Summit, supporters defended this action. Auricelia, a member of the local Arapiun community, explained the protest was a desperate attempt to grab the attention of the government and UN officials.
Professor Joao Santiago from the Federal University of Para reinforced this, stating that the Indigenous movement had wished to present its demands inside the official summit but were denied access.
The Path Forward: Drafting Demands and a Global March
The People's Summit is scheduled to run from 12 to 16 November. Over the coming days, participants will engage in 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 the conference delegates. The event will then reach a powerful crescendo on Saturday, serving as the starting point for a Global March for Climate Justice Now, which is expected to draw at least 15,000 participants.
