Tensions flared at the COP30 United Nations Climate Summit in Belém on Tuesday, as security forces clashed with Indigenous and environmental demonstrators calling for stronger global action and greater inclusion in climate talks.
Witnesses reported heated confrontations outside the Conference Centre, where the main summit is being held. Protesters carrying banners and chanting “Our voice is outside, our voice is inside” attempted to move past security barriers toward the restricted “blue zone,” where formal negotiations between world leaders were underway.
Security personnel from the United Nations and Brazilian federal police intervened, pushing back the advancing crowd. Brief scuffles followed, with footage shared online showing officers wrestling some protesters to the ground. At least one individual was seen being detained and escorted away from the scene.
The demonstrators – many representing Indigenous groups from across the Amazon basin – demanded greater participation in decision-making at COP30. Their calls included a formal seat at negotiation tables for Indigenous representatives, stronger global commitments to halt deforestation, and increased funding for developing countries affected by climate change.
A UN spokesperson later confirmed the incident, stating that a group had “attempted to forcibly enter a restricted area,” prompting a “measured security response to restore calm.” The statement emphasized that no serious injuries were reported.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to achieving “zero deforestation” as a top priority for the summit. To ensure order, local authorities deployed thousands of officers throughout Belém, citing safety concerns following earlier demonstrations.
The unrest underscores long-standing frustrations among Indigenous and environmental activists who say their voices are too often excluded from international climate policymaking, despite their critical role in protecting natural ecosystems. The Amazon rainforest, central to these discussions, is widely regarded as one of the planet’s most essential carbon sinks.
The confrontation took place on the third day of the two-week summit, where delegates are negotiating updated national targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The previous day saw a larger, peaceful march in downtown Belém, drawing thousands in support of urgent action to protect the planet.
As COP30 continues, both organizers and activists are calling for renewed dialogue to prevent further conflict – and to ensure that those most affected by climate change are finally heard within the halls of global power.
