Indigenous leaders and researchers convene for Ayahuasca and climate discussions

The World Ayahuasca Forum 2026 was held in Girona, Spain, bringing together indigenous leaders, researchers, and global participants to discuss the history, culture, and uses of ayahuasca. During the event, journalist Altino Machado presented a panel on the globalization and cultural memory of the substance, emphasizing that its journey from the Amazon involves complex cultural translations, religious transformations, and the need to recognize indigenous protagonism and oral traditions.

In a separate discussion at the IV Latin American Forum on Green Economy in São Paulo, Brazilian indigenous leaders and community representatives called for a greater role in climate change debates. Guarani leader Leandro Karai Mirim advocated for a shift away from consumerism toward new ways of inhabiting the world, suggesting that natural resources should be viewed as more than mere material goods. Additionally, Gilson Rodrigues of G10 Favelas highlighted local climate initiatives within urban communities, such as green boulevards and gardens, while ICLEI representative Rodrigo Perpétuo stressed that effective responses to biodiversity loss and climate crises require the active involvement of indigenous peoples, academics, and the private sector.