The People’s Summit Kicks Off in Brazil
The People’s Summit, an international event organized by left-wing groups, began on Wednesday in Belem, Brazil, positioned as a response to the ongoing COP30 climate change conference.
This summit, according to a report, is part of a left-wing network in Latin America that receives support from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. It strives to create a “space for resistance and alternatives” to the UN climate discussions, focusing on themes like reparations, environmental racism, just transitions, and food sovereignty.
Comprising a range of social movements, networks, and civil organizations, the gathering includes representatives from traditional African, black, and indigenous communities, as well as activists, environmentalists, students, and LGBTQIAPN+ individuals, according to a manifesto associated with the event.
“We aim to bolster grassroots organizing and foster a shared agenda that embraces diversity while pursuing a future focused on social-environmental issues, anti-patriarchal, anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, and anti-racist rights,” the manifesto states.
To inaugurate the event, around 5,000 attendees from 62 countries traversed the Amazon River in approximately 200 boats. Scheduled to conclude on November 16 at the Federal University of Pará, the summit intends to provide a counter-narrative to what they view as “false solutions” to the climate crisis. On November 15, participating organizations plan to hold a “unity march” with an emphasis on the connection between environmental justice and the protection of life and territory.
The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is hosting the COP30 climate conference in Belem through November 21. However, the official events have faced various logistical issues, including shortages of government personnel. Meanwhile, some protests have occurred, with two security guards reportedly injured during clashes with demonstrators attempting to enter restricted areas.
While the left-wing rally addresses climate change, it has also been noted that early speeches included political critiques, such as supporting Palestine and highlighting the need for greater public involvement in the conference’s proceedings.
Discussions at the summit will cover diverse topics, including territoriality, food sovereignty, historical reparations, environmental racism, as well as democratic governance and women’s resistance.
Ayala Ferreira, a member of the Movement of Landless and Rural Workers (MST), shared that the decision to organize this rally was made over two years ago, driven by the desire to unite workers globally in response to the COP’s challenges.
Ferreira emphasized the importance of resisting “false solutions” offered by COP30, which, according to her, lead to environmental degradation.
Greenpeace is among the groups participating, having sent one of its vessels, the Rainbow Warrior, to join in protest against carbon markets and other ineffective climate strategies. They argue that viable solutions stem from the knowledge and practices of indigenous and local communities rather than large polluters.
Notably, President Trump did not attend the COP30 summit, nor did the U.S. government send any high-ranking officials. In contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom was in Brazil, engaging in discussions about climate action, despite criticism directed at him by Trump.
