Belém, Brazil – The UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) opened in Belém, Brazil, with a strong message from indigenous leaders, who are demanding greater recognition and protection of their territories. The conference, which brings together over 50,000 delegates from around the world, aims to address the urgent issue of climate change and its impact on the Amazon rainforest.
Indigenous leaders from across Latin America have arrived in Belém, calling for direct access to climate finance and recognition of their rights to manage their territories. “We want to achieve more than just guaranteeing money or financing,” said Lucia Ixchiu, an Indigenous K’iche from Guatemala. “We want to reach a consensus where indigenous territories are no longer sacrificed.”
The leaders’ demands come as the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was launched at COP30, with initial pledges exceeding $5.5 billion. The TFFF aims to provide long-term financing to countries that protect and sustainably manage their tropical forests, with at least 20% of funding allocated to indigenous peoples and local communities.
“We are not just stakeholders, we are the guardians of the forest,” said Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples. “The TFFF is a historic achievement, but it must be implemented in a way that respects indigenous rights and promotes sustainable development.”
The conference has also seen the participation of world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who emphasized the importance of cooperation and collective action to address the climate crisis. “We are here to fight for the future of our planet, and we will not be deterred by those who deny the reality of climate change,” he said.
As COP30 gets underway, indigenous leaders are urging governments to prioritize their rights and interests in climate decision-making. “This is the COP of the Amazon, and it’s time for the world to listen to our voices,” said Djalma Ramalho Goncalves, an indigenous leader from Brazil.
The outcome of COP30 is expected to have significant implications for the future of the Amazon rainforest and the indigenous communities that call it home.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
