Documentary on Amazon Summit launched at COP 28 in Dubai – Watch it firsthand

Short film shows social mobilization as essential for the protection of a seriously threatened biome

Cover photo: Todd Southgate

This Tuesday, 12/05, at the Ecuador Pavilion at COP 28 in Dubai, a launch will take place of a short documentary film about a historic event of immense significance for the future of the biome and the planet: the Amazon Summit. The premiere will be presented at the opening of the event marking the launch of the People’s Mobilization for Land and Climate. Click here to watch the live event straight from COP 28.

The premiere will take place at the opening of the event marking the launch of the International Coalition People’s Mobilization for Land and Climate at COP 28 in Dubai.The Amazon has the largest tropical forest and the largest river basin in the world, and an unparalleled biological and cultural diversity. It plays an essential role in balancing the climate on the South American continent and across the planet. But the Amazon is threatened by deforestation, fires and other serious environmental problems, and could soon reach what scientists call the “point of no return”.

Watch the full documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yNwY-sL1QM&t=3s

At the beginning of August 2023, the presidents of eight Amazonian countries met in the city of Belém do Pará with an enormous challenge: to chart a new course for public policies in the Amazon, guaranteeing the protection of forests and rivers, and at the same time , improvements in the quality of life of people living in the countryside and in cities.

Chief Raoni Metuktire at the Amazon Summit. Photo by Todd Southgate.

In the three days that preceded the presidential summit, a major gathering known as the Amazon Dialogues was held, with the participation of more than 25,000 people from Amazonian countries, including representatives of indigenous peoples and riverside movements, fishermen, extractivists, those affected by dams and others megaprojects, family farmers and urban workers, as well as socio-environmental entities, students, scientists and representatives of the private sector.

The objective of Diálogos Amazônicos was to open an unprecedented space for civil society participation in the debate on new strategies for the region, including to help presidents make the right decisions at the Amazon Summit, shortly afterwards. The mobilization of civil society around the Amazon Summit also included a People’s Assembly for the Amazon, and the following morning, a march through the streets of Belém.

Txai Suruí, coordinator of the Indigenous Youth Movement, speaks at the Amazon Summit. Photo by Todd Southgate.

Recording scenes and testimonies from a diversity of people present in Belém, the video shows the enormous potential for mobilizing social movements, as well as the importance of dialogue between government and civil society in the search for solutions for development with socio-environmental sustainability, in a historic event which could be decisive for the future of the Amazon.

The video, lasting just over 18 minutes – and versions in Portuguese, Spanish and English – was produced by filmmaker Todd Southgate, with the support of Fundo Casa Socioambiental and a series of partners, including GT Infraestrutura e Justiça Socioambiental, Grupo de Amazon Labor (GTA), Pan-Amazon Social Forum (FOSPA), Pan-Amazon School Network (REPAM), World Assembly for the Amazon (AMA), Coalition for Human Rights in Development, Climate Change and Social Justice Forum, Climate Observatory, and the Forum Brazilian Association of NGOs and Social Movements for the Environment and Development (FBOMS).

The video screening at COP 28 in Dubai will take place within a launch event of a coalition of Brazilian and international civil society aimed at pressuring governments to take on a new level of action aimed at climate justice. The producers hope to use the video in educational and mobilization activities, towards COP 30, to be held in Belém, in November 2025.

Click here to learn more about the Amazon Summit.

Service: 

Date: Tuesday, December 5th.

Time: 4:30 pm Dubai (GMT +4), 9:30 am Brasilia (GMT – 3), 7:30 am Eastern (GMT – 5).

Blue Zone, B3/32, Ecuador Pavilion at COP 28 in Dubai

Live stream link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1086219122562099/