Civil society shapes COP30 in BelémCEFR A2
15 Dec 2025
Adapted from Isabela Carvalho, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Jonathan Philip, Unsplash
COP30 was held in Belém, an Amazon city where river travel connects many communities. Organized civil society took part in official meetings, parallel events and street actions, so local voices were very visible.
The People’s Summit brought social movements, urban groups and local and Indigenous communities together. At the closing, representatives gave a joint letter with demands to COP officials and the Brazilian government.
Indigenous participation increased, and a large public march brought many people together. The conference announced a fund for tropical forests and debated fossil fuels, but some groups said they still want direct access to money and clearer action on land and rivers.
Difficult words
- civil society — groups and organizations outside government and business
- indigenous — people native to a region for many generations
- representative — person who speaks or acts for othersrepresentatives
- demand — a strong request for action or changedemands
- fossil fuel — fuel from ancient plants and animals, like oilfossil fuels
- fund — money saved or set aside for a purpose
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is river travel important for communities in Belém?
- Why do you think some groups want direct access to money and clearer action on land and rivers?
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