The 30th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP30) officially introduced the curupira, an emblematic character of Brazilian folklore, as the symbol and visual identity of the event that will be held from November 10 to 21 in Belém, Pará state, in the heart of the Amazon.
This decision reinforces the political and cultural message of the summit: forests will be at the center of multilateral discussions on the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
Curupira: between indigenous mythology and green diplomacy
Depicted as a child with fiery hair and inverted feet, the curupira is traditionally considered the guardian of the forests, protector of animals, and a symbol of resistance against hunting and environmental destruction.
Its name comes from the Tupi-Guaraní language —“curumim” (child) and “pira” (body)— and has been present in Amazonian culture since colonial times. The first recorded mention dates back to 1560, in writings by the Jesuit José de Anchieta.
According to the COP30 organization, the figure was chosen for its ability to connect nature protection with ancestral culture and territorial spirituality. It reflects Brazil’s commitment to lead a climate diplomacy with Amazonian roots.
“A rapidly closing window”: forests and climate urgency
In a letter addressed to the international community, the designated president of COP30, diplomat André Corrêa do Lago, stated that forests will have a leading role in the summit. “Forests can buy us time in climate action during a rapidly closing window of opportunity,” he expressed.
The diplomat urged to listen to science and recognize the fundamental role of communities that live, conserve, and depend on forest ecosystems, especially in a context where global emissions continue to rise.
A symbol challenging the global narrative
Beyond its mythical aesthetics, the curupira has been adopted as a narrative resource to challenge the climate imaginary from the Global South. Its use conveys a message of resistance and indigenous wisdom, proposing a vision that articulates cultural identity, environmental justice, and intergenerational legacy.
The Belém summit will be an unprecedented opportunity to highlight the strategic role of the Amazon in the planet’s climate balance. It is also a chance to advance effective commitments that recognize the centrality of forests as living assets and not just reserves to exploit.
