Within the framework of COP30, the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) is actively participating in the People’s Summit, a space that, far from being a parallel event, has become the community and spiritual heart of the Amazonian cry for life.
Cardinal Pedro Barreto, president of CEAMA, highlighted the significance of the moment in Belém: “We are living an unparalleled experience. Although the People’s Summit may seem like an appendix to COP30, from our faith and our socio-environmental commitment we know that positive results will not come from above, but from below: from the communities, especially the indigenous peoples who inhabit the Amazon.”
Surrounded by the immensity of the Amazon River and the power of the Atlantic Ocean, the participants in this summit feel—as Cardinal Barreto points out—an invitation to open their eyes and hearts to creation. This unique environment reminds us that the Amazon is not just a territory, but a living entity, essential to the planet’s climate balance and home to ancient cultures that wisely safeguard life.
CEAMA, together with REPAM and the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), reaffirms in Belém its commitment to walk alongside the Amazonian communities, raising their voice and making their struggles visible. “The Church has a very special place at COP30 and at this People’s Summit,” emphasized Cardinal Barreto, recalling that the Church’s mission in the region is to accompany, listen, and promote socio-environmental justice with hope.
CEAMA’s presence at COP30 expresses a deep conviction: solutions to the climate crisis will come from dialogue with the peoples who, for centuries, have cared for and defended our Common Home. In Belém, their testimony continues to inspire the world to move toward a future where life, in all its forms, is fully respected and protected.