WCC news: “What will we leave to those coming after us?” – Ecumenical pre-COP30 meeting kicks off in Brazil

A diverse group of nearly 50 church leaders, representatives of various faith traditions, ecumenical organizations, Indigenous communities, and climate experts are gathered in Brazil's capital from 18-20 March to coordinate efforts for meaningful engagement in the lead-up to COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Conference. Their central concern: ensuring that local voices are heard. Participants hold hands during the final prayer of the opening service of the event being held in Brasília. Photo: Eugenio Albrecht/LWF 19 March 2025 At the opening prayer service at the Anglican Cathedral of Brasília, Bishop Marinez Bassotto, primate of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil, emphasized the role of hope in mobilizing faith communities to combat the causes and consequences of the climate crisis. “This hope is alive, keeps us moving, and compels us to act today. Waiting for tomorrow drives us to fight now. For those who believe, hope is a verb—it becomes action,” she said. “It should awaken in us an awareness of the deep interconnectedness of all creation, a reciprocal interdependence. This, in turn, must inspire us to an attitude of solidarity and care—a stance that reveals us as children of God.” Participants represent faith communities from across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. Among them are Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist, and Reformed churches, as well as national and regional faith-based organizations and Indigenous networks. In addition to exchanging concerns and best practices through panel discussions, the group has been working on a “Call to Action” to be presented to the COP30 presidency. With the upcoming global climate summit set to take place in the Amazon region, the impact of the climate emergency on Indigenous peoples is a focal point of discussions in Brasília. “We especially recognize the role of Indigenous peoples, who have lived in the Amazon for millennia, caring for the ecosystem and passing down knowledge through generations to preserve their home,” said Jocabed Solano of Panama, director of Memoria Indígena. “The church, in its commitment to environmental and social justice, must firmly support these communities in their struggle to defend their territories and acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the planet,” added Solano, who also serves on the World Council of Churches Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainability. Roman Catholic Bishop Jerry Ruiz, from Honduras, reflected on the meaning of working ecumenically towards COP30. “Regardless of our religious beliefs, I believe that what unites us is the same spirit. We are united by the cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, the need for justice, the criminalized, displaced, and murdered communities”, he said. “And this must help us overcome our differences, because it is the Kingdom of God that unites us in the same goal and the same objective”, added Ruiz. This event is organized by the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, Anglican Alliance, Anglican Communion Office at the UN, Lutheran World Federation, Caritas Internationalis, National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, and Conference of Bishops of Latin America. Latin American and Caribbean faith leaders come together in Brazil ahead of COP30 (WCC news release, 14 March 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland