On November 14, 2025, dozens of Indigenous protesters, including members of the Munduruku community, staged a peaceful sit-in outside the COP30 venue in Belém, Brazil, calling for greater recognition of their land rights and stronger protections for the Amazon rainforest.
The demonstrators blocked the main entrance of the climate summit, forcing delegates to enter through a side door. The protest underscored the growing frustration of Indigenous groups over what they describe as the limited inclusion of their voices in high-level climate negotiation processes.
In a powerful statement, protest leader NATO of the Tupinamba community said, “We can’t eat money,” demanding an end to destructive projects such as mining, illegal logging, and railway expansion that threaten traditional territories.
The COP30 President, André Corrêa do Lago, met with some of the protest leaders to hear their demands. While the meeting was billed as constructive, Indigenous leaders warn that promises are not enough unless coupled with concrete protections and long-term commitments.
Legal and climate experts note that this protest may influence how forest protection is addressed in the final outcome of COP30. Delegates are reportedly debating whether to include stronger language on fossil fuel phase-downs and land rights in the summit’s closing documents.
According to coalition data, around 2,500 Indigenous representatives were expected at COP30—yet only 14% of accredited Brazilian Indigenous delegates gained access to the summit’s “Blue Zone,” the decision-making part of the venue.
On November 12, tensions escalated when some protesters breached security and entered the conference area, leading to minor scuffles. Security personnel restored order, but the incident raised questions over whether civil society participants are being genuinely included in COP processes.
Critics of the summit argue that despite its location in the Amazon, COP30 is failing to deliver on inclusive representation. They point out that physical presence is not enough—many Indigenous voices remain marginalized during formal negotiation sessions.
International observers believe the protest may pressure negotiators to revisit their commitments. If Indigenous demands are integrated into final agreements, COP30 could set a precedent for future climate summits linking land rights with global climate action.
As COP30 enters its second week, the balance between political pragmatism and moral imperative is becoming more acute. Indigenous communities argue that protecting the Amazon is not just a climate issue—it’s an existential struggle tied to identity, sovereignty, and justice.
