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Indigenous Protest Blocks COP30’s Main Entrance in Belém for 90 Minutes

The protest spotlighted unresolved divides over climate finance design versus a clear signal on transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Overview

  • Roughly 100 Indigenous protesters, led by the Munduruku, formed a human chain that shut the main gate as delegates were rerouted to a side entrance, with UN officials calling it a peaceful demonstration.
  • COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago met the group at the blockade, and the primary entrance reopened at about 9:37 a.m. local time after their discussion.
  • Protesters sought a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and demanded revocation of the National Hydroway Plan, cancellation of the Ferrogrão railway, clearer land demarcation, and rejection of deforestation carbon credits.
  • The action was the second disruption this week after an earlier clash in which Indigenous demonstrators stormed the venue entrance, leaving security with minor injuries.
  • Watchdogs report more than 1,600 fossil-fuel lobbyists at COP30, up 12% from last year, as negotiators handle contentious files separately, debate possible cover‑text language on fossil fuels, and face Indigenous criticism of Brazil’s new Tropical Forests Forever Facility.