THE RAINFOREST ORGANIZATION AT THE CENTER OF DISCUSSIONS AT COP 30 IN BELÉM

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From left to right: Mathilde Everaere, Chief Tapi Yawalapiti, Maximilian Girod-Laine, and Alexis de Souza in front of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior

Belém, Brazil – The Rainforest Organization actively participated in a series of strategic meetings and initiatives in Belém, on the sidelines of COP 30, which took place from November 12 to 21, 2025. These engagements reflected meaningful advances and promising collaborations toward protecting the Amazon and strengthening the role of Indigenous peoples.

STRATEGIC AND DIPLOMATIC MEETINGS

Our representatives, including the president of the German branch of the Rainforest Organization, took part in a series of high-level discussions. In particular, the team was invited by Greenpeace to an event held on November 14, 2025, aboard the Rainbow Warrior on the theme of protecting tropical forests and Indigenous peoples, bringing together major political figures including Ms. Claudia Roth of the German Green Party, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany, and the spokesperson for the Greens in the Austrian Parliament. The German Deputy Ambassador was introduced to Chief Watatakalu Yawalapiti, who invited him to visit the Xingu Indigenous Territory (TIX). This invitation paves the way for a firsthand immersion in the realities and needs of the communities.

MAJOR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS FOR CONSERVATION

COP 30 was also marked by major financial announcements. Brazil and Germany jointly announced the launch of Vítuke, a 550 million reais (approximately $100 million) financial mechanism managed by FUNBIO. Created by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) in collaboration with organizations such as APIB, ANMIGA, and COIAB, this fund aims to strengthen the implementation of the PNGATI. It has the potential to protect 100 million hectares of indigenous lands, with initial support from Germany’s KfW and the Moore Foundation.

At the same time, the Global Tropical Forest Fund (TFFF), initiated by President Lula da Silva, was launched. Germany reaffirmed its support by committing $1 billion over 10 years, bringing the fund’s current total capitalization to $7 billion. However, the mechanism is the subject of debate regarding its governance and actual effectiveness. Critics highlight, in particular, the current lack of direct participation by indigenous representatives in the fund’s management, as well as doubts about the ability of the per-hectare payment model to ensure the sustainable protection of forest ecosystems in the face of economic pressures.

A special event also celebrated the launch of the “Instituto Raoni” Fund, which raised $15 million through Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re-Wild organization. This success is the result of a long-term effort, including a visit by Chief Raoni and Chief Tapi organized by Rainforest Organization to DiCaprio’s home in California in 2019, demonstrating the impact of strategic partnerships.

STRENGTHENED COLLABORATION WITH UNESCO

Our collaboration with UNESCO has reached a significant new milestone.

Rainforest Organization facilitated an initial working meeting between Danilo Sato, a specialist recruited by UNESCO using funds raised by Rainforest Organization, and Chief Tapi Yawalapiti. The presence of an Indigenous representative from Namibia, who serves as chair of the management board for Okavango Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—enriched the discussions. Alexander Schischlik, Vice President of the German branch of Rainforest Organization, requested a presentation for Tapi, followed by an in-depth exchange with Sérgio Monforte from the UNESCO Office in Brasília on the project’s objectives, thereby strengthening our partnership.

DIALOGUE WITH FRENCH AUTHORITIES

Finally, a meeting in the main conference hall with Ms. Salina Grenet-Catalano, Director of Global Affairs at the MEAE, in partnership with CARE FRANCE, reaffirmed France’s commitment to the protection of Indigenous territories and communities. The crucial issue of indigenous representatives’ participation in the governance of the TFFF was raised, identified as a priority area for further work to clarify roles and responsibilities within the TIX monitoring program.