The Presidency of the Cop28 has developed a strategy aimed at facilitating the active participation and expression of concerns from indigenous communities during the significant climate talks scheduled for November. A range of vital initiatives have been incorporated into the plan, including the provision of financial aid for elderly individuals to attend the global summit in Dubai, the subsidization of accommodations and translation services for 150 delegates, and the allocation of funds for a comprehensive report exploring direct financing mechanisms to support indigenous engagement in climate action.
Ms. Razan Al Mubarak, who holds the positions of Cop28 President and UN Champion for Climate Change, made the announcement, emphasizing the importance of promoting inclusivity across different segments of society at this year's conference. She highlighted the insufficient representation of indigenous peoples within the climate negotiation process, despite being recognized as one of the nine formal constituencies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and holding observer status. Furthermore, Al Mubarak emphasized the disproportionately low allocation of international climate action funding to support indigenous initiatives.
In a collaborative effort, the Cop28 Presidency and the UN Champion team have partnered with indigenous organizations to foster dialogues that seek to strengthen the involvement of indigenous communities in the negotiation process. Ms. Al Mubarak, who also serves as Chair at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, stated that this initiative goes beyond a moral obligation. She stressed the importance of genuine incorporation of indigenous peoples' leadership, as well as other historically marginalized groups, such as youth and women, in effectively addressing the climate crisis.
Responding to the situation, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Coordinator of the Association of Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad and Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, stressed the importance of these initiatives in advancing inclusivity and recognizing the rights and knowledge possessed by indigenous communities. She stressed the unique capacity of indigenous peoples to offer targeted approaches for climate mitigation and adaptation, underscoring the need to amplify their perspectives. Ibrahim conveyed her hopeful expectation that Cop28 would generate tangible results and offer assistance to those spearheading the fight against climate change.
Indigenous peoples, who have long-standing connections to the land and its resources, including those living in the Amazon rainforest, have often been the primary witnesses and bearers of the impact of climate change. Recognizing their invaluable traditional knowledge and practices, the Cop28 team highlighted the crucial role they play in addressing climate and biodiversity issues. They stressed the necessity of actively listening to their perspectives and insights, as they are essential in tackling these global challenges.
Scheduled from November 30th to December 12th, Cop28 will convene at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, presenting new pathways to amplify the participation and perspectives of indigenous communities. This event promises to facilitate an enriching platform for the expression and recognition of their valuable contributions.