Ecumenical Alliance of Faith Leaders in Brazil Advocates for…

Faith leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean will gather in Brazil ahead of COP30 to form an ecumenical alliance advocating for climate justice. Representatives from various countries and denominations will convene to discuss key issues and develop a Call to Action to present at COP30 in 2025.

In Brazil, faith leaders from various traditions will convene to form a significant ecumenical alliance aimed at promoting climate justice. This gathering will include representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, specifically from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. The participants will encompass a diverse array of churches, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed denominations, alongside faith-based organizations and indigenous representatives.

Prominent speakers at this illustrious event will be Archbishop Marines Bassotto, the Anglican Archbishop of the Amazon, and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, President of the Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishops Conference and the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council. Their insights will be critical as the region prepares for COP30, which is set to take place in Belém, Amazon, from November 10 to 21, 2025. This will be the first COP hosted in Latin America since COP20 in Lima, Peru, in 2014.

Given the significance of COP30 being held in Brazil, it is essential to incorporate the perspectives of church leaders from Latin America, including voices from youth and indigenous communities. Understanding the realities of climate change and the solutions proposed by these leaders will be pivotal to their engagement in future climate discussions. Key topics to be discussed include the necessity for funding related to adaptation, loss and damage from climate impacts, the detrimental effects of mining on the Amazon, deforestation, and associated emissions.

During the event, attendees will formulate a comprehensive Call to Action, which will be presented to the COP30 Presidency. The gathering is organized by notable groups including the World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, Anglican Alliance, Anglican Communion Office at the UN, Lutheran World Federation, CNBB, and CELAM.

In conclusion, the upcoming gathering of faith leaders in Brazil represents a crucial initiative ahead of COP30, focusing on climate justice and the integration of diverse voices. By addressing pressing issues such as funding for climate adaptation and the impacts of mining on the Amazon, the collective efforts of these leaders will foster a stronger commitment to addressing climate change. The Call to Action stemming from this meeting will serve to elevate the concerns and solutions proposed by communities most affected by climate change at the global level.

Original Source: www.oikoumene.org