Brazil’s COP30 resumes after clashes with indigenous protesters

A day after indigenous protesters stormed Brazil’s COP30 climate summit, country delegates returned to negotiating actions, policies and financing for tackling climate change with an air of calm.

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The reopening had been slightly delayed for repairs to damage at the entrance from the previous night’s clash, in which the UN said two security guards had minor injuries, but there were minimal changes to the airport-style baggage checks.

Outside, two Brazilian navy vessels escorted a protest flotilla carrying indigenous leaders and environmental activists around Belem’s Guajara Bay. Participants held signs saying “Save the Amazon’ or calling for land rights.

Hundreds of people — including indigenous leaders, the Amazon city’s residents and COP delegates - crowded the waterfront to watch.

The talks are taking place behind closed doors, but the Brazilian presidency scheduled a public “stocktaking” session on Nov 12, where delegates could express their concerns over issues such as carbon taxes and finance for countries affected most by warming.

Former US vice-president Al Gore delivered his annual climate presentation to the summit - which the United States has snubbed in 2025, despite being the world’s biggest historical polluter since the Industrial Revolution.