Brazil prepares “Aldeia COP” in Belém aiming for an absolute record of indigenous participation
A village at UFPA will house around 3,000 indigenous people from around the world during COP30; the goal includes official spaces.
The Brazilian government announced the creation of the COP Village , which will operate at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) , as part of the mobilization for the 30th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change ( COP30 ). The initiative aims to ensure the largest Indigenous presence in the history of COPs , with accommodations for approximately 3,000 Indigenous participants from Brazil and abroad.
The COP Village will be set up at the UFPA Application School, a site with a total area of approximately 72,695 square meters, of which 14,903.81 square meters are built structures. The space features air-conditioned classrooms, laboratories, a cafeteria, medical services, sports courts, and other facilities.
Of the total number of Indigenous people expected to attend, some will be accredited to participate in the Blue Zone , the official UNFCCC negotiation space, while others will participate in the Green Zone (civil society observers) and the People’s Summit , where social movements and other non-governmental actors will be present. The Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara , indicated that approximately 1,000 Indigenous people are expected to be accredited for the Blue Zone.
The project to make the Village viable involves the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) , the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), the State Secretariat for Indigenous Peoples of Pará (SEPI), and Indigenous organizations such as APIB , COIAB , and FEPIPA . The effort also includes ensuring adequate infrastructure and cultural and political programming compatible with the needs of indigenous groups.
Among the challenges highlighted is housing in Belém , marked by high prices and real estate speculation, making the creation of this dedicated space essential to prevent Indigenous members from being left out or participating only symbolically. Aldeia COP emerges as a concrete solution to these logistical challenges.
The expectation is that, in addition to quantity, participation will be of quality , with indigenous people effectively participating in debates and decisions on climate change, territorial rights, biodiversity conservation and socio-environmental justice.
With information from:
- COP30 Brazil (cop30.br) COP30
- Gov.br – Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Services and Information of Brazil
