Highlights from COP30 - Day 7

Faith Groups at COP30, Credit: Laudato Si Movement

With a deep desire to attend the special event on '10 years of Laudato Si and Paris Agreement,' at the Global Ethical Stocktake Pavilion on 14 November, I went to the COP blue zone entrance. But I was surprised to see a large number of participants standing outside, blocked by the army from entering. After about half an hour, we were allowed to enter. What I heard later was that around 90 indigenous people from the Munduruku indigenous group staged a protest, blocking the main entrance to the Blue Zone. The army was called to vacate them. They demanded an end to the projects and extractive activities that threaten indigenous territories, particularly in the Tapajos and Xingu river basin.

On the same day, around 11.30 am, I saw a group of around 30 youth, suddenly on a demonstration along the pathway, leading to the various pavilions in the blue zone, with the slogans and captions: 'No climate justice on a polluted planet; resist climate imperialism, war and militarism, kick polluters out of COP'.

Having witnessed these events and participated in some of key events in the blue and green zones, Peoples' summit and Children's summits, I have the following reflections and affirmations to make:

This COP makes a difference by allowing and listening to the voices of the indigenous peoples and the youth. The cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth is at least allowed and heard.

- I am overwhelmingly enthused and inspired by the collective power of the indigenous people and youth.

- In the context of the oil mafia, crony capitalism, and avaricious corporates and markets, trying to hijack the entire negotiation processes at COP, I am immensely encouraged and highly motivated to see a lot of committed and enlightened individuals, groups, NGOs and CSOs, fighting for the rights of nature, children, indigenous peoples and the underprivileged and neglected.

- I strongly feel and believe that the need of the hour is to join hands with like-minded individuals and groups and actively and collectively lobby for pro people and pro Earth policies and projects and their actual implementation.

John Kennedy S.J. is the Global Ignatian Advocacy Network (GIAN) Coordinator

LINK

Pope's video message to bishops at COP30: www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-11/pope-leo-xiv-videomessage-cop30-amazon-global-south-bishops.html