Amazon communities travel to COP30 to demand a voice in global climate talks: Video
For the first time, COP30 will be held in the Amazon region, and a diverse group of Indigenous people, environmental activists, and community leaders is making its way there by river.
On Saturday, participants from 21 countries boarded the Golfinho Mar II, a three-story barge that departed from the port of Santarém, Brazil, heading toward Belém, where the climate conference will take place later this month. The journey, organised by the Alliance of People for the Climate, symbolizes a growing movement among grassroots communities demanding to be heard in global climate negotiations.
“We are here at the port of Santarem, at this exact moment, about to depart for Belem, to COP30. We are participating in a caravan with the peoples of the territory. The importance of this is surreal, because people are joining forces, connecting with others who already live the reality of the territories,” said Silvia Rocha, a Brazilian activist.
During the voyage, participants discussed strategies to present their local struggles and environmental challenges to world leaders. They see their participation as an opportunity to push for genuine representation and stronger climate financing commitments.
The caravan’s arrival in Belém marks a symbolic moment for civil society. With COP30 expected to bring together 60,000 participants from more than 160 countries between November 10 and 21, the Amazon’s residents are determined to make their voices central to the global climate conversation.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
