Led by the Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco, the group represents the Circle of Peoples, an initiative of the COP30 presidency that provides a platform for civil society. Listen to the full report to learn more.
Report: Mayara Souto / mayara.souto@presidencia.gov.br
Voice-over: Rebeca Rodrigues
Reporter: The COP30 presidency shall grant direct access to traditional communities, family farmers, and quilombola communities. This engagement will be managed by the International Commission of Traditional Communities, Afro-Descendants, and Family Farmers, which was established by Brasil's federal government. Anielle Franco, the Minister for Racial Equality and leader of the commission, explained the importance of the group.
Anielle Franco: The commission is essentially an effort to ensure that those who need it most are at the center of the negotiating table. Since 2023, I have said that we cannot make progress on any issue related to racial inequality in this country without listening to those who suffer the most. Therefore, it is crucial to include quilombola communities and Afro-descendant people — who play a key role in preserving our planet — in the commission and COP30.
Reporter: The committee will include representatives from sixteen countries and receive technical support from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudança Climática/MMA). The International Commission of Traditional Communities, Afro-descendants, and Family Farmers is part of the Circle of Peoples, an innovation of COP30 that encourages global collective efforts to address climate change. The Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva stressed the importance of bródening civil society representation at COP30.
Marina Silva: The architecture of COP30 addresses the long-standing, widespread demand for participation. The creation of the Circle of Peoples, the Circle of Finance, the Circle of COP Presidents, and the Global Ethical Stocktake, collectively known as the Global Participation Circle, ensures that this desire for democracy is met and that we can defend and debate issues that affect us all.
Reporter: The first meeting of the International Commission of Traditional Communities, Afro-descendants, and Family Farmers will be held in Germany from June 6 to 26.
English version: Trad. Bárbara Menezes
Proofreading by Enrique Villamil
