Rodrigo Espiuca, the Communion Forest Facilitator for Latin America and Paulo Ueti, the Anglican Alliance’s Theological Adviser and Latin America Director, are currently in Belem, Brazil, taking part in the Tapiri process happening alongside the COP30 negotiations. Tapiri (an Indigenous term for the light, temporary shelters used by many Amazonian peoples) brings together churches, traditional faiths and civil-society actors to provide a safe “tent” where those most affected by human-rights violations across Brazil’s Legal Amazon can share their experiences and shape collective responses – and ensure that the voices of people of Amazonian territories are heard in the global climate-justice arena. Here, Rodrigo describes the first day of the Tapiri.
From November 12 to 16, 2025, during COP 30, the Ecumenical and Interreligious Tapiri* takes place in Belém, Pará, at the Anglican Cathedral of the Diocese of the Amazon. This initiative of advocacy for human, environmental and territorial rights is led by CESE (Ecumenical Service Coordination) in collaboration with several organizations.
The Anglican Alliance is playing a key supporting role, contributing human and institutional resources to the organization and development of the Tapiri. The initiative is also part of the Communion Forest programme, reaffirming Anglican commitment to climate justice, human dignity, and care for creation.
The panel session held on November 12 focused on “Human Displacement in the Amazon: Challenges and Opportunities,” bringing together voices from migrant communities and human rights institutions.
According to Bishop Maurício Andrade, from the Anglican Diocese of Brasília:
“The panel on human displacement in the Amazon was an excellent sharing of experiences, from the realities of Indigenous groups from Venezuela to migrants from Haiti and Africa. Beyond language barriers, there is a need to understand that the Earth belongs to all people, and we must deepen our reflection that migration is a human right.”
For Nesly Jean, from the Haitian Association in Belém,
“Protection and hospitality for migrants is an urgent and immediate necessity. We are human beings, we are life.”
The Tapiri continues with a diverse program of discussions, reflections, and advocacy for a living, just, and compassionate Amazon.
