Amid the global discussions about the future of the planet, the original peoples and traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon continue fighting a place at the table. In year of which will be held in Belém (PA), riverside and indigenous leaders reinforce the importance of being heard – not just as a symbol, but as protagonists in the construction of solutions to the climate crisis.
Among the voices that rise is that of Izete Costa, known as Dona Nena, rural producer of Combu Island in Belém. She cultivates organic cocoa and runs the brand “Daughter of Combu”, which became a reference in sustainable production in the region. Dona Nena uses only two ingredients in the chocolate she manufactures: cocoa and organic sugar. The simplicity of the process contrasts with the complexity of the challenges faced by those who live and work in the forest.
Invited by the state government to represent small producers at COP30, Dona Nena wants to ensure that land regularization and access to credit enter the agenda. “The riverine wants quality of life, but for this it needs to have access to land and credit to invest in the future. Without work in the forest, families will migrate to the city, and this causes rural exodus and deforestation,” he warns.
She also fears climate change accelerate the departure of young people from the forest. “With the entry of tourism and climate change, there is a cultural change of families. We need policies to avoid this.”
From the middle Tapajós comes another voice, that of Alessandra Munduruku. One of the main indigenous leaders in Brazil. Born in Itaituba (PA), she joined the struggle in defense of her territory when she saw the land threatened by energy, mining, grabbing and illegal mining projects. The community suffers from the contamination of rivers by mercury and the insecurity caused by the delay in land demarcation.
Alessandra criticizes the fact that indigenous peoples are not consulted in international decisions, even when they are directly affected, “we expect an opening there, because in all COPs they have never heard indigenous peoples. The solution is not the leaders. The solution is the traditional peoples.”
Alessandra adds, “We have the ancestral knowledge. We are the true protectors of the forest.”
With attention to the Amazon during COP30, these voices expect not only to be heard, but included in the decisions that will shape the future of the planet. As Dona Nena recalls, “No discussion will yield good fruits if not everyone is heard.”
Started this Friday (6) the and headquarters of the next United Nations Conference on Climate (COP30). The event is considered one of the most relevant forums independent of ideas and innovation aimed at the tropical forest.
Held at the historic Peace Theater, the 2025 Tedxamazonia will bring together about 700 participants and more than 30 speakers from various countries of the Amazon Basin. With the theme “Rescue – an invitation to a better future”, the meeting proposes reflections on the paths of regeneration to the Amazon and the planet.
