PRESS RELEASE: Indigenous Peoples' Caucus Opening Statement

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November 3, 2021

Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus Opening Statement for COP26

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Glasgow, Scotland - November 3

HIGH LEVEL OPENING

31 October 2021

READ BY: Taily Terena, Terena Indigenous People

Indigenous Peoples are affected first and worst by climate change and colonial climate action, yet we drive critical climate solutions rooted in our relationships with the living world. 

In exercising our protection on the frontlines, we face criminalisation, human rights violations, and assassination. And in the COPs, we are excluded from decision making on issues that affect us the most. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this injustice.

We call for a rapid reduction in emissions that drives a just transition away from fossil fuels and ensures a 1.5 degree future.

We are deeply concerned by so-called Nature-based Solutions developed without our input and free, prior, and informed consent - undermining our self-determination and secure land tenure.

Our expectations for this COP are that: 

1. Article 6 upholds human rights, and specifically, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, and leads to real emissions reductions. 

2. Indigenous food sovereignty is centered in all agricultural discussions, and particularly the Koroniva dialogue. 

3. Equitable and long-term climate financing directly to Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations across all seven regions.

4. A permanent SB agenda item is established on Loss and Damage. Any outcome must safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and address non-economic losses to our communities.

5. The draft three-year Work plan of the LCIPP is adopted and implemented, including  recommendations of the FWG Report.

6. The Gender Action Plan is advanced, and upholds land rights, including those of Indigenous women.

7. Persons with Disability are meaningfully included in UNFCCC processes as a formal constituency.

COP26 and future COPs must ensure the participation of Indigenous Peoples, including those of us with multiple intersections of identity. 

Colonialism caused climate change.

Our Rights and Traditional Knowledge are the solution.

Thank you, Chair.

Taily Terena presenting the opening statement of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus at COP26.

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Contact: Kera Sherwood-O'Regan

Email: kera@sustainedability.com

Phone: +64 210 410 932

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PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

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3 de noviembre de 2021

Declaración de apertura del Cónclave de los Pueblos Indígenas para la COP26

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Glasgow, Escocia - 3 de noviembre

APERTURA DE ALTO NIVEL

31 de octubre de 2021

LEÍDO POR: Taily Terena, Pueblo Indígena Terena

Los Pueblos Indígenas son los primeros y peores afectados por el cambio climático y la acción climática colonial, sin embargo, impulsamos soluciones climáticas críticas enraizadas en nuestras relaciones con el mundo vivo.

Al ejercer nuestra protección en primera línea, nos enfrentamos a la criminalización, las violaciones de los derechos humanos y el asesinato. Y en las COP, se nos excluye de la toma de decisiones sobre las cuestiones que más nos afectan. La pandemia del COVID-19 no ha hecho más que agravar esta injusticia.

Pedimos una rápida reducción de las emisiones que impulse una transición justa para abandonar los combustibles fósiles y garantice un futuro de 1,5 grados.

Estamos profundamente preocupados por las llamadas soluciones basadas en la naturaleza desarrolladas sin nuestra aportación y consentimiento libre, previo e informado, lo que socava nuestra autodeterminación y la seguridad de la tenencia de la tierra.

Nuestras expectativas para esta COP son que:

1. El artículo 6 defienda los derechos humanos, y específicamente los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, y conduzca a una reducción real de las emisiones.

2. La soberanía alimentaria indígena se centre en todas las discusiones agrícolas, y en particular en el diálogo de Koroniva.

3. Financiación climática equitativa y a largo plazo directamente a las Organizaciones de Pueblos Indígenas en las siete regiones.

4. Se establece un punto permanente en la agenda del SB sobre Pérdidas y Daños. Cualquier resultado debe salvaguardar los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y abordar las pérdidas no económicas de nuestras comunidades.

5. Se adopta e implementa el proyecto de plan de trabajo trienal de la LCIPP, incluyendo las recomendaciones del informe del FWG.

6. El Plan de Acción de Género avanza y defiende los derechos a la tierra, incluidos los de las mujeres indígenas.

7. Las personas con discapacidad se incluyen de manera significativa en los procesos de la CMNUCC como un grupo formal.

La COP26 y las futuras COP deben garantizar la participación de los Pueblos Indígenas, incluidos los que tenemos múltiples intersecciones de identidad.

El colonialismo causó el cambio climático.

Nuestros derechos y conocimientos tradicionales son la solución.

Gracias, Presidente.

Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor www.DeepL.com/Translator

Taily Terena presentando la declaración de apertura del Caucus de Pueblos Indígenas en la COP26.

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Contacto: Kera Sherwood-O'Regan

Correo electrónico: kera@sustainedability.com

Teléfono: +64 210 410 932

Co-Chairs Note Upon Conclusion of the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2018

Respectful greetings,

We transmit herewith a note in our capacity as Co-Chairs of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, convened under the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) during the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2018, which included the forty-eighth sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI48) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA48) as well as the fifth part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1-5).

In accordance with the collective view of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus expressed during its preparatory meeting on April 29 2018 at the Evangelischer Kirchenkreis in Bonn, the Co-Chairs have prioritized the negotiations to further operationalize the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples (LCIP) platform in the coordination and deliberations of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus during the 2018 Bonn Climate Change Conference.

As a variety of proposals have been made by Parties and the IIPFCC during the negotiations and, in order to ensure that the document which will be finalized during the twenty-fourth session of the Conference of Parties (COP24) reflects the views of Indigenous Peoples, and to safeguard the ownership of the document by Parties and Indigenous Peoples, we, as Co-Chairs, have worked to provide a note on the current status of said platform and the dangers involved in some of the proposals made by Parties.

We highly value the importance of open, transparent and inclusive consultations between Indigenous Peoples and Parties, and encourage all interested Indigenous Peoples, Parties and other stakeholders to raise any ideas and concerns with us. Should any organization, Party or groups of Parties wish to consult with the IIPFCC through its Co-Chairs, please contact the Indigenous Peoples focal point to the UNFCCC Secretariat (Mr. Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, email: nuri@aippnet.org).

We are committed to engage further in a constructive dialogue on this important subject before and during COP24.

Please accept, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Juan Carlos Jintiach, Ghazali Ohorella,

Co-Chairs Indigenous Peoples Caucus

Download Co-Chairs Note [ PDF]

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Report on Executive Secretary's briefing (Saturday Morning 10AM)

A Note from Alberto Saldamando: 

As I will be unable to attend the Caucus meeting Monday morning, I’m sending a brief report on the Executive Secretary’s briefing today. The important item is that although contact group meetings are open, sometimes they limit observer participation in order to preserve space for the negotiators. But when these meetings have space, even during the session, the chairs can open them up for observers.

Megumi has twitter account, @unfcccobservers and will try to inform when space allows observers that may open up during the meeting.

See you at the march tomorrow!

Alberto Saldamando, (415) 656-9198, Skype: alberto.saldamando, saldamando@sbcglobal.net

Report on Executive Secretary Briefing Saturday 12 Nov.

The Executive Secretary began her remarks by saying that in order to fulfill commitments in the PA need close contact with NGOs.

Each interest group was given an opportunity to ask questions:

Bingo began, but was also seconded by other interest groups, as to how to participate in the sessions of the COP, as experiencing many difficulties. Also inputs into substantive matters also difficult (finance, loss and damage, etc.)

Farmers only reflected disappointment in outcomes of SBSTA.

The Executive Secretary responded by saying that “rulebook” still being written. Although many important issues being discussed at COP where do have submissions from NGOS, the NGOs should foucs on National level in areas such as NDCs and finance. But do have access to meetings through system of badges, because must prioritize space for negotiators. All Plenary sessions open, and only contact groups are closed. Informals can also be open in accordance with SBI discussions. But some sessions very crowded, so need space, but will open when space is available.

Megumi has twitter account, @unfcccobservers and will try to inform when space allows observers that may open up during the meeting.

The Executive Sec. says she has observed much more willingness to have observer participation since her initial COP Cancun 2010.

RINGO Asked about individual submissions, not yet allowed.

Hassan represented IPOs and called for enhanced participation by IPOs in meetings, to allow interventions by IPOs at meetings.

TUNGOs wanted to be associated with technical groups and asked about the bike parking.

 The Executive Sed. response was that bike parking was a challenge. She said that we must see COP as process that continues all year. “we are talking about a structural transformation from coal” and other fossil fuels that will take time and is a very challenging scenario. She mentioned the Indigenous knowledge platform and her office’s efforts to make it happen. She and Megumi also spoke about non-party stakeholder submission due in February to present to the parties at the next intersessional. And if there are any other ideas, please submit them to us so that the secretariat can present them to the Parties.

Saudata representing the Women and Gender interest group asked about the support for women to participate in National level discussions, that it is very difficult in some countries for women to participate. There was no response to this queston.

The meeting closed with three Indigenous organizations and COICA presenting the Executive Secretary with a gift of a drum from the Amazon that represents the voices of youth, women and who present a holistic vision of solutions to climate change, and that we need access to funding in order to implement that vision.

Indigenous Peoples Caucus Statement at COP22 APA Session

Jannie Staffansson reads the Indigenous Peoples Caucus statement at the APA session of COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco, November 7, 2016   

On Monday, Jannie Staffansson (Sami) delivered the  Indigenous Peoples Caucus Statement at the #UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA) opening Plenary. The statement raised recommendations for the future implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as called upon the countries who signed onto the Geneva Pledge on Human Rights and Climate Change to establish a Working Group or a program on Human Rights and Climate Change within the UNFCCC process. The statement made at the APA session was one of four presented by the Indigenous Peoples Caucus on Monday at COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco.  #IIPFCC  #Saamicouncil #IndigenousCOP22

Statement of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) to the Ad Hoc Working Group for the Paris Agreement (APA), November 7, 2016, Marrakech, Morocco

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Indigenous Peoples Dialogue with UNFCCC States Parties

The Indigenous Peoples' dialogue with Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place on 5 Nov at Hotel Meridien in Marrakech from 2-5 pm. 

Indigenous Peoples Dialogue with UNFCCC States Parties

COP22 President Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar and Morocco Minister of Environment, Ms. Hakima El Haite addressed the representatives of Indigenous Peoples from seven geo-political regions attending the dialogue. On behalf of International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC), Ms. Jannie Staffansson put forward the key demands of indigenous peoples for COP22.

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COP22 President Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar 

Minister of Environment, Ms. Hakima El Haite

The dialogue between Indigenous Peoples and States was interactive, constructive and set a good path for future dialogues with parties to the UNFCCC. Government representatives from France, Norway, Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand were present in the dialogue. 

Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, the co-chair of Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus moderated the session. The IIPFCC will soon be distributing the Indigenous Peoples' political statement in abridged and longer versions in the coming days.