The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI-Colombia) participated in the Global Ethical Balance, Regional Dialogue for South and Central America and the Caribbean, a space convened by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, with the support of the COP30 Presidency, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
Led by the former President of Chile and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, the meeting brought together a group of young people, scientists, political leaders, indigenous and Afro-descendants, with the purpose of reflecting on the just energy transition and the protection of forests.
“Today we reaffirm that forests are not just another resource: they are the basis of our life, our security and our peace,” said Brazil’s Minister of the Environment Marina Silva, stressing the urgency of moving from words to action on climate issues.
For her part, Blanca Lucía Echeverry stressed that the environmental discourse has been dominated by scientific and economic arguments, which are indispensable but not sufficient. “In this context of climate emergency and ecological collapse, we need to broaden our vision. Today we know that it is the cultural, ethical and spiritual dimension that can transform consciences and move entire communities towards real change. In her speech, the national coordinator of IRI-Colombia highlighted the importance of recognizing the Amazon as a climatic and spiritual pillar, of ensuring that the voices of religious, indigenous and community leaders are present at international decision-making tables, and of assuming that the protection of forests is a moral and spiritual duty.
This regional dialogue was held within the framework of the V Summit of ACTO Presidents and is part of a series of global meetings whose outcome will be presented in September to the UN General Assembly and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as a preparatory input for COP30, to be held in November in Belém do Pará, Brazil.
Read the full August edition of the IRIboletín here, in Spanish.
The coordinator of IRI-Colombia with the former president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet.
“COP30 is the opportunity for those who care for the forest – indigenous peoples and local communities – to have a relevant voice and be heard,” Sônia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil.
