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Indigenous solutions at COP29

FSC Indigenous Foundation engagement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), a global coalition is gathering in solidarity in Baku, Azerbaijan, to address the climate crisis. As the world faces increasingly severe environmental disasters, Indigenous Peoples are on the frontlines with the knowledge and solutions needed to combat climate change. Their deep ecological wisdom, sustainable practices, and stewardship of the land are crucial for a sustainable future. Indigenous knowledge is a climate solution. 

A green world is an Indigenous world

Indigenous Peoples manage 25% of the Earth’s surface, rich in biodiversity and home to 36% of the world’s intact forests.  These territories could contribute up to 37% of global CO2 mitigation by 2030. Their role in tackling the climate crisis is essential. However, their rights must be fully recognized and supported to unlock their potential for climate solutions.

At COP29, the global community must take action to support the rights, self-devlopment, and self-reliance of Indigenous Peoples. When Indigenous Peoples’ rights are respected, their ecological knowledge can guide sustainable resource management for future generations. While stakeholders gather this week in solidarity for a green world, we know that a green world is an Indigenous world, and together, we can make this vision a reality.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation at COP29

We are attending COP29 to highlight the essential role of Indigenous communities in climate action, advocate for direct climate funding to Indigenous Peoples, and engage with diverse stakeholders, implementing our multi-sectoral approach. Our delegation includes:

Salina Sanou, Africa and Asia Regional Director and IPARD Deputy Director

Olga Kostrova, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member 

Anne Samante, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member 

Basiru Isa, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member, REPALEAC

Integrating Indigenous Peoples into Nationally Determined Contributions

At COP29, with an increased focus on inclusivity and just transitions, it is imperative to explore how Indigenous Peoples can meaningfully participate in developing and implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We invite you to join us for a side event at COP29  co-hosted by the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) and the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) to discuss actionable ways to include Indigenous Peoples in the NDC process. 

By creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration, this event aims to bridge the gap between policy frameworks and the grassroots knowledge that Indigenous communities offer.

Find more information below.

Find us at other key events organized by the Forest Stewardship Council. More information here.

Indigenous women on the frontline against climate change

Listen to Indigenous women from around the world share how climate change is affecting their communities and the innovative solutions they bring to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

Join us!

The FSC Indigenous Foundation seeks partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to achieve visionary goals by leveraging the power of your resources, your expertise, and your innovative tools. Let’s work together to elevate Indigenous solutions for climate action and shape policies that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge.

If you would like to meet us during COP29 to discuss how we can build sustainable solutions together, write to us at fsc.if@fsc.org.

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The FSC Indigenous Foundation is at COP16

Let's learn how to live in peace with nature from the world's best biodiversity stewards.

For Indigenous Peoples, Mother Earth is not only the place where we live, it is the sacred space in which we manifest spiritual connections with all living things. Rooted in ancestral cosmovision, we view the natural environment as an integral being that sustains life and the harmony of ecosystems. This is biodiversity. This is living in peace with nature. 

Joining global biodiversity discussions

From October 21 to November 1, 2024, the vibrant city of Cali, Colombia, will host the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Under the slogan “Peace with Nature,” this historic event calls for a renewed commitment to the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity and the sustainable use of its resources.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) will participate in COP16 to amplify the global voices of Indigenous Peoples and advocate for their crucial role in biodiversity conservation. 

At COP16, we aim to:

  • Collaborate: Engage with diverse stakeholders to build a comprehensive biodiversity agenda that values, recognizes and incorporates Indigenous knowledge
  • Network: Identify funding opportunities and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs), governments, and other key stakeholders
  • Influence: Highlight the vital importance of Indigenous knowledge in biodiversity stewardship, particularly under Article 8J of the CBD.

Why Indigenous knowledge matters

Indigenous Peoples are among the world’s most effective stewards of biodiversity, especially where their rights and recognized and supported. As biodiversity declines, so too does cultural and linguistic diversity. Protecting both is critical for our planet’s future. Promoting Indigenous rights and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and their valuable knowledge in biodiversity management and decision-making is essential for a successful global biodiversity framework.

Let’s learn how to live in peace with nature from the world’s best biodiversity stewards.

Biodiversity work in action

Explore FSC-IF impactful projects that illustrate our commitment to preserving biodiversity through Indigenous knowledge and solutions:

  • Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models: Collaborating with the IDB Lab and Health in Harmony in an innovative project to connect Indigenous Peoples with economic opportunities that align with their cultural values and biodiversity conservation efforts by collaboratively designing a market seal.
  • Indigenous Peoples and water: Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into sustainable models of transboundary watershed management.

FSC-IF numbers of impact

See more numbers of impact for Indigenous Peoples, biodiversity, and forests, and read the stories behind the numbers here.

Our delegation at COP16

Indigenous leaders and our partners

Aulina Ismare Opua, Cacica Wounaan General Congress.

Wounaan People, Panama.

Daniel Kobei, Executive Director, Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP)

Ogiek People, Kenya.

Juan Carlos Jintiach, Executive Secretary, Global Alliance for Territorial Communities (GATC)

Shuar People, Ecuador.

Mala Mareachealee, Deputy Director, Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

Nadia Gómez, FSC-IF Indigenous Advisor, and FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) representative from South America

Warpe People, Argentina.

Norlando Meza, TV Indígena

Guna People, Panama.

Sara Madriz Martinez, Mesoamerican Alliance for Peoples and Forests (AMPB)

Cabécar People, Costa Rica.

Yoselin Yissel Casama Martínez, Association of Women Artisans of Ipeti Embera (AMARIE),

Emberá People, Panama

Get involved, make a difference

We are leading global efforts towards long-term and resilient Indigenous-led solutions. With Indigenous Peoples, we can conserve and restore biodiversity for everyone’s survival.

The FSC-IF seeks partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to achieve visionary goals by leveraging the power of your resources, your expertise, and your innovative tools. Let’s work together to elevate Indigenous solutions for biodiversity stewardship and shape policies that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge.

Follow our journey: Check out our website and social media for updates, video interviews with our delegation, and our objectives at COP 16.

Connect with us: If you would like to meet us during COP16 to discuss how we can build sustainable solutions together, write to us at fsc.if@fsc.org 

Together, we can ensure that the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples is recognized and integrated into the global biodiversity agenda.

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It’s time for Indigenous solutions

Join us at Climate Week New York to connect with the value of Indigenous knowledge and territories

The FSC Indigenous Foundation is happy to announce its participation in Climate Week New York. As a leading global advocate for Indigenous-led climate solutions, the Foundation will join key organizations and global leaders in addressing critical environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices.

Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge offers vital solutions to the climate crisis. They manage over 25% of the global landmass, making the future of Indigenous territories key to global sustainability. The FSC-IF seeks to integrate Indigenous knowledge into climate strategies and supports Indigenous leaders, for the future of our planet and for us all. Catch us at our side events listed below, or reach out to organize a meeting. 

It’s time to lead with Indigenous solutions and make a meaningful impact. Join us in driving positive change.

Supporting Indigenous Self-Determination, Self-Reliance, and Self-Governance in Nature-based Solutions

Date and time: Monday, September 23rd, 2024, 10:30 – 11:30

Location: Nature Positive Hub, Convene, 101 Park Ave, New York. Room: Chrysler Forum

Description: Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of land protection. Although they comprise less than 6% of the world’s population, their collective territories are close to 25% of the land base and contain 80% of the world’s remaining terrestrial biodiversity. However, Indigenous Peoples face countless challenges that limit their capacity to strengthen their livelihood practices and secure rights and self-determination within their territories. The moderated panel will highlight the necessity of Indigenous-led climate solutions and barriers to achieving a healthier planet.

This event will illustrate the reciprocal relationship Indigenous Peoples have with Mother Earth, demonstrating the role of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in rights-based approaches, and discussing partnerships between businesses and Indigenous organizations to support self-determination. It is hosted by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), a global Indigenous-led organization working to elevate Indigenous Peoples in their contribution to the protection of Mother Earth and recognize them as providers of solutions and partners to fight against global challenges. 

Panelists:  

Hindou Omarou Ibrahim Chair of FSC Indigenous Foundation Council and Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Moderator: Satnam Manhas, R.P.F., Senior Manager, Indigenous Capacity Support Canada, FSC Indigenous Foundation 

Erica Fensom, DocuSign, Vice President, Corporate Affairs 

Sergio Guzman, manager of the community forest Guatecarbon REDD+ project, in Guatemala 

Join us to learn how you can support Indigenous nature-based solutions.

Register here

Our People, Our Future: From Commitment to Actions

Date and time: September 26, 2024, 9:30 – 11:30 am

Location:  Studio 3, 873 Broadway, #401,  New York, N.Y 10010

Description: This event, hosted by the FSC Indigenous Foundation and Health in Harmony will connect Indigenous Peoples with business and philanthropy, offering an opportunity to engage and scale social, environmental, and economic impact when working together. It will provide the opportunity to:

  • Discover solutions: Learn about Indigenous approaches to climate change, land degradation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
  • Contribute resources: Find actionable ways to contribute your resources and expertise towards impactful projects, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Indigenous Peoples are key to addressing pressing global challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Through collaboration, we can make a significant impact in these areas.  
  • Build partnerships: Network to form strategic alliances for sustainability.  
  • Boost business value: Discover how integrating ecosystem services can enhance sustainability, including biodiversity, carbon markets, and beyond.
  • Verify impact: Learn methods for impact verification to ensure your contributions are making a measurable difference.

Panelists:

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair of FSC Indigenous Foundation Council and President of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Jerome Foster II, Climate Activist

Solange Bandiaky-Badji, President and Coordinator, Rights and Resources Initiative

Rachel Markham, Principal, Patchwork Collective

Ashley Emerson, Co-CEO Business and Scale, Health in Harmony 

Moderator: Satnam Manhas, Senior Manager, Indigenous Capacity Support Canada, FSC Indigenous Foundation 

Join us in this transformative journey to drive positive change and sustainability.  

Register here

Connect with us

The FSC-IF is leading global efforts toward resilient Indigenous-led solutions, but we cannot do it alone. We call on partners to help us achieve visionary goals by leveraging the power of your resources, expertise, and innovation. If you would like to meet us during Climate Week to discuss how we can build sustainable solutions together, write to us at fsc.if@fsc.org.

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WEBINAR: Mother languages, pillars that sustain the knowledge and cultural practices of Indigenous Peoples and their solutions to climate change 

Learn how preserving, revitalizing and promoting Indigenous languages contributes to environmental stewardship

Join the FSC Indigenous Foundation for a webinar on April 4, 2024, to acknowledge the significance of preserving and enhancing Indigenous mother tongues as a vital component that fosters effective responses to climate change challenges.  

Indigenous languages serve as custodians of traditional knowledge, nature-based interactions, and scientific knowledge among Indigenous Peoples. These elements actively contribute to environmental stewardship and bolster efforts to combat climate change. However, the impacts of climate change pose a threat to the vitality of Indigenous languages, endangering their survival and continuity, hence, prioritizing their preservation, revitalization, and promotion becomes imperative. 

On April 4, 2024, 10-11 am Panama time / 9-10 am Central American time / 12 – 1 pm Brazil time, we are gathering with Indigenous leaders with experience in sociolinguistic and linguistic matters and a climate change perspective.  

The zoom webinar will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese, Mam and K’iche’. 

Join us and register here.  

Panelists

Maatal Pérez

FSC-IF Indigenous Peoples Affairs Officer – Guatemala / President of the Poqomam Indigenous Mayoralty of Palín

Mayan – Poqomam sociolinguist with experience in public policy with a focus on linguistic and cultural rights of Indigenous women and Indigenous Peoples.

President of the Poqomam Linguistic Community of the Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala, and titular representative of Indigenous Peoples at departmental, regional, and national levels in the System of Development Councils.

Specialized studies in Indigenous Women’s Leadership at the Intercultural Indigenous University of Bolivia, Postgraduate studies in Indigenous Peoples’ Rights for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination at the School of Political Science of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, specialization in Gender and Feminism at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Humanities CEICH, Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM.

Iguaigdigili López  

Teacher, biologist, and researcher

Biologist by profession, specialist in intercultural bilingual education, Indigenous Peoples’ law, postgraduate in higher education, consultant on gender and biodiversity, traditional knowledge, cultural revitalization, climate change.  President of the Organization of Indigenous Women United for Biodiversity of Panama (OMIUBP).

Quetzaly Quintas Arista  

Coordinator of the Gibäñ Dadi’idznu team “long live our language”

Young woman, 24 years old. She is originally from the community of Santa María Guienagati, a Zapotec village in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Since she was a teenager she has worked with children to raise awareness of environmental care and has been interested in learning the language of her community, currently only spoken by older adults, which led her to study a degree in Linguistics at the National School of Anthropology and History. She was a facilitator of the subject Lengua indígena at the Universidad Autónoma Comunal de Oaxaca. She is currently the coordinator of the Gibäñ Dadi’idznu team “que viva nuestro idioma” (long live our language) made up of Zapotec-speaking seniors. She is also developing projects for the dissemination and revitalization of the Zapotec language. She received a grant from Cultural Survival and collaborates as a monitor for Nidos de Lengua, an initiative of the Secretaría de Cultura y Artes del Estado de Oaxaca.

Te Ngaehe Wanikau 

Title: Kaumatua / Elder, Tribe: Ngati Hikairo ki Tongariro, People: Maoríes de Aotearoa (New Zealand) 

I have served on many boards, committees, and working groups at the local, national, and international levels. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on all of them. However, the position I cherish the most is the one my elders and parents prepared me for. It is my role with my people.  It has no legal description in the Western context. It is a traditional position for my whanau – family, hapu – extended family, iwi – my tribe and the people and environment we serve and protect.

My traditional teachings are: Kawa – Divine protocals, Tikanga – human protocols, Matauranga – Streams of traditional exoteric knowledge, Whakapapa – Genealogy of both people and all existing things

Opening remarks

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

Chair of FSC-IF Council and Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) 

Hindou Oumarou is a member of the Mbororo People of Chad, part of the FSC Indigenous Foundation Council and an environmental and Indigenous Peoples activist.

She is the Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) and served as the co-director of the pavilion of the World Indigenous Peoples’ Initiative and Pavilion at COP21, COP22 and COP23.

She is the gender representative and Congo Basin Region and Focal Point on Climate Change in the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC).

She was recognized by BBC as a top 100 women leader and by TIME’s Women Leaders in Climate Change and is a National Geographic Explorer.

This webinar is organized within the framework of a webinar series: Resilient Roots: The wisdom of Indigenous women and youth in the fight against climate change. Watch our website and social media for upcoming webinars.  

Watch a recording of the webinar below.

ENGLISH

MAM

K’ICHE

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