Brazil Announces Demarcation of 10 Indigenous Lands at COP30 in Belém
- LAC Newsdesk
- Nov 18
- 5 min read
Belém, Brazil — In a high-profile move coinciding with Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Nov. 17, the Brazilian government formally announced ten ordinances demarcating Indigenous territories. The signing, carried out by Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski in coordination with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, was among the most consequential of the COP30 climate summit in Belém.
A Historic Step, Though Long Overdue
The demarcation marks what the government describes as “institutional recognition” of ancestral rights. According to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), this brings the total number of Indigenous lands formally recognised in the current administration to 21, after years with virtually no new demarcations since 2018.
The timing is significant. Holding the signing on Indigenous Peoples’ Day during COP30 ties land rights directly to the climate agenda. For many Indigenous activists, it underscored a long-standing demand: secure land tenure is not only a matter of justice but also central to preserving the Amazon, a key carbon sink.
Which Lands Are Affected — and Who Gains
The ten territories covered by the new ordinances include:
Tupinambá de Olivença (Bahia) – home to the Tupinambá people, covering about 47,374 hectares with a population around 4,631.
Vista Alegre (Amazonas) – Mura people, approximately 13,206 hectares.
Comexatiba (Cahy-Pequi) (Bahia) – Pataxó people, 28,077 hectares.
Ypoi Triunfo (Mato Grosso do Sul) – Guarani-Kaiowá, about 19,756 hectares.
Sawré Ba’pim (Pará) – Munduruku people, 150,330 hectares.
Pankará (Serra do Arapuá) (Pernambuco) – Pankará people, 15,114 hectares.
Sambaqui (Paraná) – Guarani-Mbya, 2,798 hectares.
Ka’aguy Hovy (São Paulo) – Guarani-Mbya, 1,950 hectares.
Pakurity (São Paulo) – Guarani-Mbya, 5,730 hectares.
Ka’aguy Mirim (São Paulo) – Guarani-Mbya, 1,190 hectares.
These lands span varied biomes — from the Amazon to the Atlantic Forest — and reflect the diversity of Indigenous peoples across Brazil.
Why It Matters: Indigenous Rights, Climate & Conservation
For Indigenous communities, recognition of territory is more than symbolic. Sheila de Carvalho, national secretary for Access to Justice at the MJSP, said that demarcation “reduces conflicts, strengthens socio-environmental governance and blocks the mechanisms of destruction: land grabbing, illegal mining, predatory exploitation.”
Meanwhile, the Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (FUNAI) has consistently argued that securing Indigenous lands is a crucial climate strategy. In its COP30 messaging, FUNAI described demarcation as a “central strategy” for confronting climate breakdown, noting that Indigenous lands suffer disproportionately low deforestation rates.
FUNAI President Joenia Wapichana underscored the dual role of demarcation: it is a rights issue and a climate imperative. She told Repórter Brasil ahead of the summit that the agency is preparing further demarcation processes but stressed the final decisions rest with the Ministry of Justice and presidency.
Limits and Critiques: What the New Ordinances Do Not Cover
Despite its scale, the announcement has drawn criticism from Indigenous organisations. The Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) released a report noting that 29 other Indigenous territories in the Amazon are already technically and legally ready for homologation (the presidential act that grants definitive title), but remain in limbo.
COIAB argues that demarcating these lands would send a stronger signal internationally and consolidate Brazil’s climate leadership.
Some Indigenous leaders also warn of potential gaps in the new ordinances. While the administrative orders (portarias) establish boundaries, they do not automatically translate into full legal ownership — that still requires a presidential decree (“homologação”), sometimes followed by registration and titling.
Moreover, some territories not covered by the new batch remain vulnerable — regions where Indigenous communities continue to struggle without formal recognition.
Process and Origins: How Did We Get Here?
The path to Nov. 17’s announcement has been in the works for months. FUNAI and other Indigenous bodies brought demarcation to the forefront of COP30 preparations, framing land rights as essential to climate actions.
The current surge follows a broader trend under the Lula administration: since 2023, dozens of lands have moved through the declaration (portaria) phase, with some progressing to final title.
According to reports, the government intends to regularise 63 million hectares of Indigenous and quilombola lands by 2030 — a central commitment made during the COP30 announcement.
Governance and Long-Term Impact
The ordinances themselves do not immediately change land governance structures. Rather, they define territorial limits and recognise Indigenous claims formally. The process still requires actions by FUNAI, the MJSP, and ultimately a presidential decree to grant definitive title.
Once titling is complete, the expectation is that governance within these lands will follow customary and communal models, rooted in traditional practices. Although the ordinances do not spell out every detail, Indigenous organisations have previously advocated for collective stewardship, consistent with constitutions and climate justice frameworks.
The government has also tied future regularisation plans to its national plan, the Plano Integrado de Implementação da Política Nacional de Gestão Territorial e Ambiental de Terras Indígenas (PNGATI), signalling an integrated approach to land, climate, and social policy.
Challenges Ahead: Risks, Gaps, and the Path Forward
While welcomed, the announcement does not resolve all tensions. Observers note that:
Homologation Is Not Automatic: The final step, presidential decree, still lies ahead. Without it, communities may lack full legal protection.
Implementation Risks: Formal recognition is a start, but effective governance will depend on resources, enforcement, and participation. Illegal activities like logging, mining, and land grabbing could continue without robust safeguards.
Unresolved Territories: According to COIAB, dozens of Indigenous lands remain technically ready for recognition, but require political will.
Institutional Capacity: FUNAI, historically under-resourced, must scale up to support demarcation, registration, and governance.
Climate Funding: While demarcation is part of Brazil’s climate pitch, translating formal recognition into sustained funding and protection remains a challenge.
Why COP30 Matters for Land Rights
This move ties Indigenous land rights to the heart of global climate diplomacy. With COP30 taking place in Belém — deep in the Amazon — the symbolism is powerful. By making demarcation part of its COP messaging, Brazil is signalling that land justice is a core pillar of its climate commitments.
FUNAI’s voice at the summit echoed this: “To protect Indigenous rights is to protect the planet,” President Joenia Wapichana said.
But Indigenous leaders stress that announcements alone are not enough. For many, COP30 is an opportunity to demand that recognition turns into real, enforceable protection, and that pending territories do not fall by the wayside.
Conclusion: A Milestone — But Not the End
The demarcation of ten Indigenous lands by the Brazilian government on Nov. 17, during COP30, represents a landmark achievement in the country’s long struggle over land rights. It underscores a growing alignment between environmental policy and social justice.
Yet, as Indigenous organisations and civil society readily acknowledge, this is not the endpoint. The real test lies ahead: ensuring that ordinances evolve into legal titles, effective governance, and long-term protection. For many Indigenous groups and climate advocates, COP30 will be judged not just by the number of lands declared, but by the depth of commitment to securing them.
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