Pará advocates for the protagonism of Indigenous Peoples in climate financing and global governance
During the World Nature Congress in the United Arab Emirates, Sepi showcases the actions of the State and highlights the importance of Indigenous participation in all stages of climate financing projects
The protagonism of Indigenous peoples was one of the central themes discussed during the World Nature Congress (IUCN 2025), during the panel promoted by the organizations ICMBio, Panthera, Everland, and BNP Paribas, which brought together important leaders from the environmental front in Abu Dhabi. Representing the Government of Pará, the Secretary of State for Indigenous Peoples, Puyr Tembé, reinforced the importance of placing Indigenous peoples at the center of decisions regarding climate financing, environmental governance, and biodiversity conservation.
According to the secretary, there is no possible sustainability without the active presence of Indigenous peoples in decision-making spaces. "Indigenous protagonism is essential because we, Indigenous peoples, are the ones who protect and keep the forest alive for thousands of years. We cannot just be at the end of the results; we need to participate from the conception of the projects, with an active voice and decision-making power. When Indigenous people lead, the project has soul, has territory, and has continuity. Without our perspective, there is no possible climate justice," emphasized Puyr Tembé.
During her participation in the panel on climate financing and participatory governance, the secretary advocated for Indigenous leaders to be included in all stages of the projects. "Indigenous peoples need to be involved in all stages: in governance, in construction, in execution, and in monitoring the results. We do not want to just receive resources; we want to build solutions that respect our ways of life and ensure the future of the forest," she explained.
She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the presence of Amazonian peoples in international climate debate spaces. According to the secretary, "supporting initiatives like this is to strengthen Indigenous protagonism and environmental democracy."
Commenting on the challenges in building climate financing projects, Puyr emphasized that it is possible to reconcile interests as long as there is respect and genuine listening. "The forest is not a commodity; it is our home. It is the space of our life and our spirituality. When there is transparent dialogue and Indigenous peoples are recognized as part of the decisions, everyone wins: the environment, the economy, and humanity."
In one of the most symbolic moments of the panel, the secretary also addressed the spiritual and cosmological value of jaguars for the peoples of the Amazon. "The jaguar is a guardian spirit of the forest. It represents strength, wisdom, and balance. Where there is a jaguar, there is a living forest, there is food, there is harmony. Protecting the jaguar is protecting the spirit of the Amazon and the very life that depends on it," she stated.
The presence of Sepi at this global event reinforces the commitment of the Government of Pará to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in international discussions. The State has stood out in building public policies and shared governance spaces, recognizing the role of Indigenous peoples as guardians of the forest and protagonists of global climate solutions.
