Culture and Climate Action at COP: Insights from Latin America

On 21 November, Culture, Heritage and Climate Change: A View from Latin Americatook place at the Museu das Amazônias (MAZ) in Belém (Pará, Brazil). Bringing together museum professionals, cultural workers and the public, the event highlighted the strategic role of culture and heritage in climate debates, particularly in the context of preparations for COP30.

The programme began with a professional workshop on sustainability and museums, organised by ICOM Sustain in partnership with the Pará State Secretariat of Culture, creating a space for technical exchange on how museums can strengthen sustainable practices.

The official opening in the afternoon featured remarks by ICOM President Antonio Rodríguez, who reaffirmed climate action as a key institutional priority for ICOM. The first panel focused on the risks climate change poses to cultural heritage. Aline Vieira de Carvalho (ICOMOS Brazil) emphasised the vulnerability of heritage and the importance of the Brazilian Charter on Cultural Heritage and Climate Change. Úrsula Vidal, Pará's Secretary of Culture, underlined the role of cultural tourism in sustainable development, while Lucimara Letelier (ICOM Sustain) presented ICOM's five objectives for climate-related action in museums, highlighting the power of museum narratives to engage the public.

Representing ICOM, Rachelle Kalee and William Gamboa Sierra presented ongoing national, regional and global initiatives. Gamboa Sierra highlighted strong Latin American participation in sustainability efforts, including the ICOM Sustainable Development Award, which received 130 projects worldwide-21 from Latin America and 8 from Brazil-and shared an example from Paraguay demonstrating how museums can contribute to climate policy through biodiversity-related actions.

The second panel addressed the challenges faced by cultural producers and the need for greater international support. Mauro Garcia Santa Cruz (Climate Heritage Network Latin America and the Caribbean) presented research on climate change and heritage, while Indigenous leader Irleuza Apiaká (Apiaká Indigenous Association IAKUDÁ'Y) called for closer collaboration between institutions and traditional communities, as well as improved access to resources to address climate impacts such as water scarcity.

Discussions also explored more equitable, horizontal approaches to knowledge-sharing and dialogue with Indigenous peoples and local territories. Denilson Batista (Pontos de Memória Cabana do Rompe Mato and Quilombo de Macapazinho) emphasised the role of museums as agents of social transformation and sustainability.

The Brazilian Charter on Cultural Heritage and Climate Change was revisited as a tool for advocacy and collaboration. Diego Vaz Bevilaqua (ICOM Brazil) outlined the collective process behind its development and the actions led by ICOM Brazil and partner institutions to promote it.

In closing, participants reaffirmed the need for effective public policies, technical assistance and international cooperation. Throughout the event, museums and cultural institutions were consistently recognised as key drivers of sustainable development and climate action.

The event was organised by ICOM, ICOM Brazil, ICOM Sustain, ICOMOS, ICOMOS Brazil, the Climate Heritage Network and Casa de Oswaldo Cruz (COC/Fiocruz), in partnership with the Museu das Amazônias, a public institution linked to the Pará State Secretariat of Culture.