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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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Geographic Information Systems for Indigenous forests and communities 

Learn about América Anayelli Olguín’s journey bridging technology and ancestral knowledge

América Anayelli Olguín, a young Indigenous woman from Zacatlán, Mexico, is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at UNIGIS Latin America.  Her studies are supported by the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program.  

The degree focuses on tools for capturing and analyzing geospatial data to support territorial development, agriculture, and environmental conservation in Indigenous territories. As part of the MOCAF Network and the Regional Collective in Defense of Forests and Territory, this knowledge empowers América to strengthen sustainable forest use and community organization initiatives within her community.  

By using these applications, I am able to involve more young people in my community in the development and care of our forests and biodiversity,” she says.  

Carrying out the legacy of her ancestors, she is developing land management plans and participatory assessments for forest communities in her region.  Watch the video below for the impact these studies will have on her community and territory.  

Read an interview with America here

Join us in supporting the vital work of Indigenous leaders like América. Indigenous leaders have the solutions to protect their territories on which we all depend. By investing in capacity enhancement initiatives, we can promote and scale up these solutions. If you would like to get involved, reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org  

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The Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program works to enable Indigenous Peoples globally to strengthen their capacities, so they can manage and develop their communities based on their priorities, traditional knowledge, natural resource management, and respect for their rights. It is supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners. 

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Rights, recognition, and economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples across Africa

At COP16 the FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) is the largest Indigenous Peoples’ network in the world, made up of 135 Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in 21 African countries and headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. 

At the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation is pleased to announce that we are expanding our collaboration with IPACC. Together, we will work with and for Indigenous Peoples in Africa to promote rights, self-development, and landscapes across the continent.

Our collaboration will focus on:

Capacity sharing to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Africa: including strategic planning, IPACC’s women’s strategy, and technical support. 

Promoting recognition and participation of Indigenous Peoples: for rights and self-governance of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making related to land and resources management. 

Diversifying economic activities rooted in Indigenous cosmovision and traditional knowledge:  including resource mapping, partnerships, technical support, and small grants for Indigenous women-led enterprises.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

We believe that working together with Indigenous Peoples is crucial for both their communities and the well-being of our planet. Join us to create sustainable impact for Africa’s biodiversity and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org 

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Inclusive dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and the government in Kenya

We are excited to sign an agreement with the Ogiek Peoples Development Program at COP16 to expand our collaboration with and for the Ogiek Peoples and their forests.

The Ogiek People have a deep, ancestral connection to the Mau Forest, viewing it as not just a physical space, but a vital part of their cultural identity and cosmovion. As guardians of this rich ecosystem, the Ogiek have practiced sustainable land management techniques for millenia that reflect their profound understanding of the forest’s biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge ensures the forest remains healthy and resilient. 

In the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP) building on our existing project for Ogiek women’s socio-economic empowerment. We will expand our collaboration to support a dialogue between the Ogiek Peoples and government institutions regarding policies based on Indigenous Peoples’ rights.  

Through this work, the Ogiek People will be able to sustainably manage and restore their forests while advocating for their rights and recognition of their traditional knowledge.

Read an article authored by OPDP Executive Director Daniel Kobei on how the Ogiek People are conserving medicinal forest plants for future generations. 

Watch the video below to learn about the connection between the Ogiek People and biodiversity.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

Join us in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ rights and their invaluable connection to our forests. Together, we can support Indigenous Peoples to protect these vital landscapes for future generations.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org

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