As Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém from November 30 to December 12, 2025, Amazon indigenous communities are gearing up to bring their voices—and lifeways—to the heart of the global climate talks.
For generations, indigenous peoples have managed the Amazon in a delicate balance, safeguarding one of Earth's most biodiverse regions. This year, more than 200 delegates from over 150 communities across the Brazilian Amazon will head to COP30. They carry a clear message: protect the forest, respect land rights, and invest in sustainable livelihoods.
A Seat at the Table
Among their top priorities is securing formal recognition of traditional territories. Despite covering roughly 20% of Brazil’s Amazon, only half of indigenous lands have been legally demarcated. Chief Marina Kaxinawá of the Yube community says, 'Our forests are living libraries. We need the world to listen to our stories, or the pages will disappear.'
Beyond Conservation: Green Economies
Indigenous leaders are also pitching green business models that blend ancestral knowledge with modern markets. This includes community-led agroforestry projects that combine açaà cultivation with timber-friendly agroecology and non-timber products like nuts, oils and natural dyes. According to data from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research, deforestation climbed 12% by mid-2025—underscoring the urgency for alternative incomes that reward restoration, not destruction.
Amplifying Traditional Knowledge
Delegates hope COP30 will commit to funding cultural and educational exchanges, strengthening digital connectivity in remote villages, and expanding healthcare access tailored to indigenous needs. They argue that integrating traditional ecological knowledge into national and international policy could transform how the world tackles climate change.
With just two weeks until the first ministers gather in Belém, Amazon indigenous communities are turning COP30 into a platform for justice, equity and innovative solutions. Their message is clear: the future of the forest depends on the people who have always called it home.
Reference(s):
What do Brazil’s Indigenous communities hope to come from COP30?
cgtn.com
