The Historic Opportunity for Latin America: From Resistance to Climate Action
Latin America carries a dual role at COP30, held in Belém do Pará in 2025. On one hand, it is one of the most decisive regions in confronting climate change through the resistance of its peoples, and on the other, it is also one of the most vulnerable to its impacts
By Rocío Lloret Céspedes (Bolivian journalist)
Latin America arrives at COP30, taking place in Belém do Pará in 2025, carrying a double condition. On one hand, it is one of the most decisive regions for confronting climate change from the resistance of its peoples; on the other, it is one of the most vulnerable regions to that same crisis.
Its vast territory holds the planet’s largest reservoirs of biodiversity, the most extensive tropical forests, and Indigenous peoples who still maintain thousand-year-old conservation practices — despite the vulnerability caused by uncontrolled activities such as deforestation, as deforestation, mining, and land dispossession. From this combination of fragility and potential arises a huge expectation: that this COP becomes a turning point where the region stops being a mere observer or companion to major decisions and finally steps forward as a protagonist.
Belém is not just another environmental summit venue. Belém represents a historic opportunity for Latin America to overcome the scattering of its voices.
