At the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, the Association of Saamaka Communities (VSG) delivered a compelling message. Represented by a delegation of twenty members, the VSG called for direct funding, recognition of traditional knowledge, and a central role for the Saamaka people in combating climate change. The organization emphasized that sustainable forest management is impossible without the involvement of those who have protected the forests for centuries. In plenary sessions and thematic meetings, the VSG highlighted the severe impact of climate change on the Saamaka communities, whose identity, culture, and livelihoods are deeply intertwined with the forest. Hugo Jabini, Director of the VSG Foundation Bureau, stressed, ‘The time for talking is over. We are the guardians of the forest, yet we bear the heaviest burdens.’ He urged the international community to transition to direct, community-managed funding, as only a small fraction of current funds through NGOs reaches the villages. The VSG proposed several concrete measures: recognition of Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) as the foundation of sustainable forest management, accessible climate financing for local communities, sustainable partnerships between governments, regional and international organizations, and local communities, and knowledge sharing and capacity building to train and support youth and women in sustainable forest management. A key message from the VSG was the importance of traditional Saamaka knowledge, shaped by generations of living in harmony with the forest, offering valuable insights into resilient and sustainable management. The VSG called on policymakers and international partners to integrate this knowledge into national and global climate strategies to develop innovative, future-proof models. The VSG’s participation was further amplified by a cultural performance by the Seketie group in the green zone of COP30. The songs, dances, and colorful pangi’s of Saamaka women and Basia Paul Wooje of Guyaba were a moving tribute to the forest, describing the beauty, value, and spiritual significance of the Amazon. The VSG’s prominent presence at COP30 underscored the crucial role of the Saamaka communities in protecting Suriname’s forests and the global climate. The VSG demands genuine recognition, direct resources, and meaningful involvement to enable the guardians of the forest to continue their essential role in a time when the planet needs this protection more than ever.