WEG announces its support for the Banzeiro da Esperança Cultural Boat, an initiative by Virada Sustentável and the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS), in connection with the upcoming Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém.
The boat will sail from Manaus to Belém, linking Amazonian communities to the global dialogue on climate change. Acting as a floating cultural center, Banzeiro da Esperança will bring together voices from riverside communities and local leaders, promoting educational activities and social mobilization focused on sociobiodiversity, climate justice, and traditional knowledge.
“Supporting the Banzeiro da Esperança Cultural Boat at COP30 is an opportunity to strengthen dialogue among different actors and promote solutions that connect culture, science, and social development. For us, initiatives like this reflect WEG’s commitment to contributing to a more sustainable future—especially in the Amazon, where preservation and local empowerment are essential,” says Daniel Godinho, WEG’s Director of Sustainability and Institutional Relations.
According to Virgilio Viana, General Superintendent of FAS, this is a major opportunity to bring Amazonian voices into the global climate conversation. “Banzeiro da Esperança is a great journey from Manaus to Belém that carries different Amazonian voices to present priorities and solutions to address climate change. It is also a path to confront climate injustice, since those who contributed least to the problem are the ones most affected by its impacts,” he states.
WEG Panel and Banzeiro da Esperança Activation
The Banzeiro da Esperança Cultural Boat will travel from Manaus to Belém between November 4 and 7, docking at the COP30, which will take place from November 10 to 21. During this period, WEG, in partnership with UNICEF, Rede Igapó, and SABESP, will host two panels on board focusing on cultural development and the impact of water and sanitation on quality of life. The events will bring together onboard community leaders, social organizations, and local representatives from the Belém region.
The boat’s program includes artistic, educational, and social mobilization activities such as exhibitions, panels, lectures, roundtables, workshops, courses, storytelling sessions, rituals, and cultural performances. All activities are free of charge, fostering dialogue among culture, science, and knowledge.
According to André Palhano, co-founder of Virada Sustentável, “Projects of this nature, scale, and social-environmental impact are only possible thanks to the partnership and sponsorship of companies and organizations that believe in these causes. WEG has supported the project since the beginning, contributing not only financial resources but also expertise and engagement.”
About Virada Sustentável
The Virada Sustentável Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability education through art, culture, and civic engagement. Founded in 2015, it coordinates the largest sustainability festival in Latin America, offering free and inclusive initiatives aimed at urban and environmental transformation, in partnership with social organizations, companies, and governments, and aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS)
The Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) is a non-profit civil society organization that promotes sustainable development in the Amazon. Its mission is to contribute to the conservation of the biome, improve the quality of life of Amazonian populations, and enhance the value of standing forests and their biodiversity. With 17 years of activity, the Foundation has achieved significant results, including a 202% increase in the average income of thousands of beneficiary families and a 39% reduction in deforestation in supported areas.
