Africa: Supporting a Global Movement – Join Global Witness At COP31

As the world gathers at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, Global Witness is helping to strengthen global connections between people most affected by the climate crisis

We’re carving out spaces for communities, defenders, journalists and policymakers to meet and further the push for meaningful participation in climate decision-making for land and environmental defenders.

This includes sessions on the Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD), which launched last year at COP30, and beginning preparations for COP32 in Ethiopia.

Below is a first look at the events we are hosting or co-hosting. We’ll update this page as more details and additional events (in and beyond the COP31 Blue Zone) are confirmed.

Wednesday 11 November

UNFCCC Side Event: Closing the Gap: A call for recognition, participation and protection of environmental human rights defenders in climate action

Join us and the Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD) for a discussion with environmental defenders moderated by the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

Location: Blue Zone: Side Event Room 9 – SAFRANBOLU

Time: 13:15pm-14:45

How to attend: Open event

Organised in collaboration with Natural Justice, Global Citizen, United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commission, International Center for Non-Profit Law, The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, CIVICUS, Alliance for Land, Indigenous and Environmental Defenders, Asuntos del Sur, OMCT SOS-Torture Network, International Federation for Human Rights, Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders, cambiaMO Changing Mobility, Amnesty International, International Land Coalition, European Center for Non-Profit Law

Thursday 12 November

Connecting the LEAD network: Shaping strategies for COP32

This gathering will bring together organisations from across regions that support LEAD (Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders) to exchange ideas and develop shared strategies for COP32.

Led by African organisations, the discussion will centre their perspectives and priorities as we consider how the network can support collective action ahead of the conference.

The exact time and venue will be confirmed at the start of the first week.

Location: Blue Zone (location TBC)

Time: Afternoon (exact time TBC)

How to attend: This is a closed event. For further information, please contact [email protected] after 9 November

Friday 13 November

Film screening and conversation: Paid in Blood – Pau D’Arco

Join us for an evening of film, food and conversation exploring the realities of defending land and the environment.

After surviving a massacre in which police killed ten landless rural workers on a farm in the Amazonian state of Pará, Fernando, the key witness to the crime, and Vargas, his lawyer, fight for justice and the right to land. Following their journey over seven years, the documentary uncovers shocking developments in the efforts to cover up the crime.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Ana Aranha and environmental defenders, with time for questions from the audience.

The conversation will include time for audience questions. Food will be provided, with simultaneous interpretation in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

Location: The Halley Meeting Room, Concorde De Luxe Hotel

Time: 18:00-22:00

How to attend: This event is open to all, but places are limited. Please register to secure your place

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