Belém: Tension grew outside the COP30 climate summit on Friday as Indigenous protesters blocked the main entrance to the venue in Belém, demanding stronger action to protect the Amazon and greater recognition of their rights. Their demonstration came as negotiators inside struggled to make progress on key issues, including fossil fuel commitments and forest protection.
More than a hundred Indigenous representatives, many from the Munduruku community, staged a peaceful sit-in early in the morning, forcing delegates and observers to enter through side gates after security closed off the main pathway. The group held banners, chanted slogans and said they were tired of being sidelined in discussions that directly affect their land and future.
“We are the ones who protect the climate, and the Amazon cannot continue to be destroyed to enrich big companies,” one Munduruku leader said during the demonstration. Their demands include stronger land rights, opposition to large infrastructure projects that could increase deforestation and more direct participation in decision-making at the summit.
The protest followed another confrontation earlier in the week when a separate group of demonstrators tried to force their way into the venue, leading to brief clashes with security personnel. Some officers were injured, raising concerns about escalating tensions as the talks reach a critical stage.
Inside the summit, negotiators reported slow progress. Countries remain divided over the language on transitioning away from fossil fuels and over financial commitments to help developing nations adapt to climate change. Some delegates expressed doubts that a comprehensive global deal will be reached before the end of the conference.
Brazil, the host nation, has sought to position this year’s COP as a turning point by bringing the global meeting to the heart of the Amazon. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly highlighted the role of Indigenous communities in protecting forests and combating climate change. But activists say symbolic gestures are not enough unless they are matched by firm commitments on land demarcation and restrictions on industrial projects threatening the rainforest.
The summit’s president, André Corrêa do Lago, briefly met the protesters outside, speaking with community leaders as police kept the area secure. Organizers later said they were working to ensure Indigenous representatives have more space to participate in official discussions.
As COP30 moves into its final days, the demonstrations have brought global attention back to the realities facing the Amazon and the people who live in it. Many observers say the outcome of the conference will depend not only on diplomatic negotiations but also on whether Indigenous voices are meaningfully included in shaping climate solutions.