For a More-Than-Human World: A Virtual Photography Exhibition for Biodiversity Protection

The exhibition, showcasing over 80 images captured by professional and amateur photographers from Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, is the result of a competition of the same name. This initiative sought to highlight the perceptions and legacy that Indigenous Peoples contribute to the Amazon.

In a world where the climate crisis demands urgent responses, art becomes a powerful tool for reflection and transformation. In this sense, For a More-Than-Human World is a visual testament to the bond between humanity and nature— a collection of images that not only document the conservation of socio-biodiversity but also narrate stories of struggle, resilience, and hope.

The exhibition is presented by Euroclima, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in collaboration with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA). It originates from a photography competition held in August 2024, which brought together photographers from across the Amazon region, including significant Indigenous participation, representing 44% of all entrants. Through their lenses, these artists invite us to look beyond the obvious, to connect with the depths of the rainforest, its waters, rituals, and the daily lives of those who have long been the ancestral guardians of this territory.

"Nature is more than a landscape; it is a story whispering its history to us—if only we learn to listen" — Leslie Searles, winner of the Artistic Photography category

More than 100 photographs were submitted under two categories: Artistic and Documentary. After a rigorous selection process by a panel of Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts, three winners were chosen in each category, based on their technical and artistic quality and their ability to convey the exhibition’s core message—the urgent need to rethink our relationship with the planet.

More than just an exhibition, For a More-Than-Human World is a call to action. Each photograph is a testimony to the interdependence between humans and their environment, an invitation to recognise and value Indigenous knowledge in the fight for sustainability.

The virtual exhibition is available on the OTCA website, where visitors can explore the winning photographs, a selection of highlighted images, interviews, and additional content.

"The eyes of the forest watch us, reminding us that there is still time to change" — Jaime Aníbal Venegas Gavilanes, third place in the Artistic category

The virtual exhibition is part of a series of initiatives carried out within the framework of Euroclima’s support for the creation of the Amazon Regional Platform for Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change of OTCA. These include the development of the Amazon Regional Strategy for Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change, assessments of the vulnerabilities of Amazonian Indigenous Peoples to climate change in the eight OTCA member countries, and the organisation of dialogue and exchange events between scientific and Indigenous traditional knowledge on climate change. Additionally, as part of this collaborative effort, cultural events were organised to strengthen the recognition of Indigenous knowledge within the climate agenda and to engage a wider audience, mobilising various stakeholders and fostering intercultural dialogue.

Among the main activities was the collaboration with the Berlin Human Rights Film Festival (HRFF) in 2023, which included a call for documentary film entries, followed by screenings and discussions in both Europe and Latin America. In 2024, discussion events were held in preparation for COP30 in Foz do Iguaçu (LEDS LAC Workshop) and São Paulo (Brazil), in coordination with the Goethe Institute; in Cali, as part of COP16 on Biodiversity; and in Lima in 2025, in collaboration with Peru’s Ministry of Culture.  These initiatives have promoted the integration of Indigenous knowledge, bringing visibility to their experiences and challenges in climate resilience and adaptation. They have strengthened climate action through artistic expression, audiovisual productions, and photography, while also celebrating the talent of Amazonian artists, creating spaces for exchange and recognition.

Winning Photos

• Artistic Photography

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• Documentary photography

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