Indigenous protesters disrupt UN climate summit again

BELéM:

Dozens of Indigenous demonstrators blocked the entrance to the UN climate summit in Brazil on Friday in a plea for the world to pay attention to their plight in the Amazon.

Around sixty men and women in traditional garb and headdresses, some carrying babies, formed a human barricade at the main entrance as tens of thousands of delegates were arriving.

Beneath a blazing sun, the group demanded a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and stood their ground as diplomats were ushered through side doors into the venue.

It was the second time this week that Indigenous protesters have disrupted the climate talks in Belem, a city on the Amazon River and the gateway to the world's largest rainforest.

The demonstrators had "strong and very legitimate concerns," said COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago, who skipped a morning event to go outside to meet the group.

Correa do Lago was handed a document outlining their concerns before holding consultations with the group in a nearby hall where Indigenous people of all ages sang, danced and chanted.

"We had a very positive, very constructive dialogue," Correa do Lago said following the session.

"We will seek to address all the concerns they have."

Dozens of armed soldiers and military police were guarding the venue entrance, but the United Nations said in a message to attendees that there was "no danger."

From the Munduruku community, the Indigenous protesters are seeking to progress the demarcation of their traditional homelands.

They also contest the Ferrograo project, a nearly 1,000 kilometer (620 mile) railway intended to cross Brazil from west to east to transport grain production.

"Fighting for our territories is fighting for our lives," read a banner held by one Munduruku demonstrator.

"Come on, Lula, show yourself!" shouted Alessandra Korap, an Indigenous leader.