Highlighting Indigenous voices at COP29

FSC Indigenous Foundation leads dialogue at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan

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The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), hosted in Azerbaijan in Baku from November 11-22, 2024, brought significant focus on the inclusion and integration of Indigenous knowledge into climate strategies. With the theme In Solidarity for a Green World, COP29 underscored the need for a transparent and collaborative approach to achieving climate goals.

Integrating Indigenous leadership: The Baku Workplan

At COP29, the adoption of the Baku Workplan. marked a significant advancement in elevating the voices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in climate action. The Workplan, developed through consensus, outlines key actions to promote knowledge exchange, build capacity, and integrate diverse values and knowledge systems into climate policies. It includes strategies such as regional engagement, collaboration with UNFCCC bodies, and creating roundtables for cross-generational dialogue. Additionally, by renewing the mandate of the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), COP29 also addressed barriers such as language accessibility and continuity in membership transitions, creating a pathway for inclusive and sustainable climate action.

Highlighting Indigenous contributions and challenges

One key moment of the conference was the side event titled “Empowering Indigenous Peoples: Driving Participation in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Climate Action,” held at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion on November 13.

The panel, led by key figures from the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), IPACC, and REPALEAC, explored the pressing need for recognizing and including Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the climate action process, specifically through NDCs. Speakers included Salina Sanou (FSC-IF), Kanyinke Sena (IPACC), Balkisou Buba (REPALEAC), Samante Anne (FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee), and Mohamed Handaine (IPACC North Africa), who shared valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities.

Salina Sanou noted that a recent study of NDCs across eight countries in Africa revealed that “Indigenous Peoples are not recognized in NDCs, which highlights a major gap in inclusive climate frameworks.” This oversight undermines the effectiveness of climate strategies and prevents the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples’ unique knowledge systems.

Samante Anne added, “NDCs are typically government-driven. This presents a challenge, especially when the process is rushed and external consultants, who do not understand the African context, are hired to lead it. This exclusion persists despite the $1.2 billion that was allocated for climate mitigation in tropical forests at COP26.”

Kanyinke Sena pointed out that “only 22% of global NDCs mention Indigenous Peoples.” He emphasized the additional challenge that few African countries, such as Mauritania, South Sudan, Eritrea, Eswatini, and Namibia, incorporate Indigenous Peoples and traditional knowledge into their NDCs. He also shared that NDCs are categorized by country and often fail to integrate the cross-border perspectives of Indigenous Peoples. “Citizens need to read their NDCs to understand the gaps and advocate for inclusion,” he stressed.

The case for Indigenous knowledge and representation

Balkisou Buba highlighted that the lives of many Indigenous communities, including hers, are closely tied to livestock and traditional land practices, underscoring the need for NDCs that value and integrate Indigenous knowledge. She advocated for meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making, moving beyond symbolic “tick-box” roles.

“As a way forward, there is the need to empower Indigenous Peoples to be part of meaningful consultations towards the NDCs development. Indigenous Peoples should not be flowers in the discussion but assets,” she said.

Mohamed Handaine added that cutting Indigenous languages equates to severing the roots of Indigenous knowledge, emphasizing the need for adaptation policies that are language-inclusive.

A Path Forward: Actions and Recommendations

The event concluded with powerful calls to action:

Ensure Indigenous participation: Balkisou Buba and Samante Anne stressed the need to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are involved in every stage of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) consultations. Their participation is crucial for meaningful contributions to climate policy development.
Strengthen local and regional representation: Kanyinke Sena advocated for increasing Indigenous representation at regional forums such as SADC, ECOWAS, and the African Union, emphasizing the need for broader engagement in various sectors
Secure funding and capacity building: The speakers highlighted that African countries can fund only a small portion of their NDCs and must rely on external support. Kanyinke urged African nations to focus on research and fundraising for Indigenous-led climate initiatives.
Acknowledge rights holders: The panel emphasized that Indigenous Peoples should be recognized as rights holders rather than stakeholders. Samante Anne underlined the importance of ongoing dialogue to promote traditional knowledge and responsible business practices in NDCs.

Other highlights: financial commitments at COP29

COP29 in Baku marked significant progress in addressing the financial challenges of climate action, setting a long-term financial target of mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. This includes a foundational $300 billion annually to support vulnerable nations in enhancing resilience, expanding energy access, and fostering sustainable development. However, \ reliance on mixed public-private funding and voluntary contributions from developing nations has drawn criticism. The “Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T,” led by the COP Presidencies, will guide progress toward these ambitious financial goals.

Indigenous leaders call attention to climate change impacts and solutions at COP29

At COP29, Indigenous leaders from around the world shared harrowing accounts of climate change’s devastating effects on their communities, from catastrophic floods to rising seas. Yet, amid these challenges, they also brought solutions, showcasing their traditional ecological knowledge and vital role in combating global warming. Their voices underscore the urgent need for inclusive climate policies that address the disproportionate impacts they face while leveraging their centuries-old practices for sustainable land management and resilience.

During COP29, Ms. Hindou Oumarou, a member of the Fulani Mbororo People of Chad, Chair of the FSC Indigenous Foundation Council, and an environmental and Indigenous Peoples activist, highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on her community.

“Right now, we are experiencing the biggest floods we have ever had. Two million people have been displaced, and thousands are dead,” she shared, underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis. Her testimony echoes the experiences of many Indigenous communities worldwide, who bear the brunt of extreme weather events while playing a crucial role in climate resilience and land stewardship.

Conclusion

COP29 highlighted the urgent need to integrate Indigenous knowledge into climate action. Recommendations such as establishing localized climate funds, adapting policies to Indigenous needs, and strengthening collaboration with Indigenous communities mark important steps toward a more inclusive future.

The progress made at COP29 sets the stage for further action. By continuing to elevate Indigenous perspectives, we can shape a greener, more resilient future for all.

Indigenous land, our future

The FSC Indigenous Foundation will attend the UNCCD COP16 to promote Indigenous land rights and solutions to combat desertification

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“But Mother Earth – it’s us. It is everything that we belong to and that belongs to us,” says Niila Inga of the Saami People and a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee, reflecting Indigenous Peoples’ deep spiritual connection with Mother Earth.

We see the land not as a resource to be exploited, but as a living, integral being that sustains all life and ensures the balance of ecosystems. It is the foundation of our identity, our culture, and our survival. It is through our connection to the land that Indigenous Peoples secure the future of our planet and for us all.

However, Indigenous communities often face threats to their land rights that hinder their ability to implement sustainable land practices effectively. Protecting Indigenous land rights and supporting their knowledge systems through partnerships and investments is crucial for addressing environmental challenges like desertification and drought.

For these reasons, the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) will actively participate in the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 – 13, 2024. This crucial conference will unite leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and global stakeholders to accelerate progress in sustainable land management and combat the growing threat of desertification.

At COP16, we will promote Indigenous land rights as a key solution to combat desertification, influence global climate policies, and engage stakeholders to foster new collaborations and resource mobilization.

Our work for land rights

The FSC Indigenous Foundation is advancing Indigenous land rights and governance through a variety of global initiatives.

In partnership with the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of America (FILAC), we have conducted studies on Indigenous land rights across Latin America and are expanding our research into Africa, providing critical data for advocacy. We are supporting Indigenous communities in remedy processes, where rights to land have not been respected previously.

We also support Indigenous governance by supporting traditional authorities and communities develop Charters of Rights, which help consolidate Indigenous governance in both recognized and unrecognized territories. For territories yet to be recognized, the Charter can become a valuable instrument and tool for advocacy. With territorial regulations aligned with their cosmovision and values, Indigenous communities can better steward their land and natural resources and grow businesses aligned with their worldviews.

In Panama and Honduras, we are helping to advance policies that support Indigenous economic empowerment, land rights, and the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes. In Kenya, we are facilitating dialogue between the Ogiek Peoples and government institutions to align policies with Indigenous rights.

In Central Africa, we partnered with the regional network REPALEAC to organize a participatory mapping workshop, where 50 participants from eight countries developed a system for monitoring and collecting data on the rights, culture, lands, and territories of Indigenous Peoples, supporting REPALEAC’s goal of securing 4 million hectares of land by 2025.

Get involved

Indigenous Peoples are not just victims of land degradation but are integral to its solution. Indigenous land rights, traditional knowledge, and cultural landscapes offer powerful solutions to desertification and climate change. Protecting these rights and community land stewardship is key to restoring ecosystems, fostering resilience, and ensuring the future of all life on Earth.

Join us at COP16 and beyond as we bring Indigenous solutions to the center of global climate dialogues. Together, we can create a future where people and Mother Earth thrive in harmony.

Stay tuned for updates and reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org to get involved.

A milestone at COP16: Global recognition of Indigenous rights and their role in the protection of biodiversity

The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j and international partnerships pave the way for an active participation of Indigenous Peoples at COP30 in Brazil in 2025

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The historic decision at COP16: Indigenous Peoples get a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Traditional Knowledge

The recent UN COP16 marked a milestone for Indigenous Peoples by establishing a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j, which gives them an official voice in global conservation policies. After intense negotiations, the agreement was announced by Colombia’s Minister of Environment, representing a historic recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems and their profound relationship with nature. This breakthrough validates the ancestral wisdom of Indigenous communities in the protection of biodiversity and underscores their essential role in caring for the planet.

The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J represents a historic step forward for Indigenous Peoples, whose recognition goes beyond symbolism; it is a true inclusion in global decision-making on biodiversity.

In this achievement, the G9 of the Indigenous Amazon, an alliance of nine organizations of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon, was fundamental, standing out at COP16 as a strategic actor.

Amazonian Indigenous Organizations form an alliance; G9

In their statement, they highlighted their ancestral role as guardians of the forests, warning that any dialogue on biodiversity and climate is meaningless without their participation. Faced with threats such as illegal mining and deforestation, they urged states to protect their territories and recognize their rights, requesting direct funding and participation in global policies. Their efforts contributed to the creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J, a key achievement for their inclusion in global decision-making, and laid the groundwork for them to play a key role towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025.

Partnerships for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, economies and ecosystems in Africa

Highlights at COP16:

The FSC Indigenous Foundation and REPALEAC signed an agreement to strengthen initiatives with Indigenous Peoples in the Congo Basin, focusing on the defense of their rights, economic empowerment and sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa. This partnership with REPALEAC seeks to enhance the capacities of Indigenous organizations through participatory training and promote their participation in decision-making on natural resources, climate policy and biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Ogiek People’s Development Program (OPDP) to strengthen its collaboration with this community and protect the Mau Forest, a place of vital cultural and environmental importance to the Ogiek. This alliance seeks to empower Ogiek women and foster an inclusive dialogue by promoting policies that respect their rights and ancestral knowledge of biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation has expanded its collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), the world’s largest Indigenous Peoples’ network, which brings together 135 organizations in 21 African countries. This alliance seeks to promote the defense of the rights, recognition and economic opportunities of Indigenous communities in the management of their lands, in addition to promoting economic activities based on their worldview and traditional knowledge.

These initiatives ensure that Indigenous communities actively participate in decision-making about their lands and resources, as highlighted by leaders such as Nadia Gómez and Maatal Pérez during COP16. The testimonies of these leaders invite us to reflect on the urgency of recognizing the importance of Indigenous participation in the preservation of biodiversity.

Voices from COP16: Listen to our delegation and Indigenous leaders:

Mohamed Handaine – Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity management:
- “If we take the Sahel as an example, we have a water shortage, so the Indigenous Peoples have created extraordinary systems to manage this water shortage.”
Yaily Castillo – Indigenous Youth and Leadership:
- COP16 serves as a space for Indigenous youth from Latin America and the Caribbean to connect and collaborate on leadership and participation strategies.
- “We seek to create useful platforms and tools for the youth network that we are promoting at the FSC Indigenous Foundation.”
Nadia Gómez – Importance of the Participation of Indigenous Peoples:
- COP16 represents a platform for Indigenous youth and veteran leaders to be heard at the global level.
- “Forests and rivers we consider them sources of energy and wisdom and historically, we have been the ones to protect these ecosystems so that today the world enjoys preserved landscapes.”
Carlos Blandón – Resource Mobilization for Indigenous Peoples:
- The objective at COP16 is to establish partnerships with actors from the public and private sectors and multilateral organizations to implement biodiversity agreements.
Maatal Perez – Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples:
- We work under the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” before any intervention, which guarantees respect for the autonomy of the communities.

Listen to each of them and discover how their efforts at COP16 open a path of change and hope for all.

COP16 marked a significant advance in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, underscoring their fundamental role in the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable management of ecosystems. This momentum towards inclusion and respect for their ancestral knowledge is crucially projected towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025, where the active participation of Indigenous Peoples will be essential to address the global challenges of biodiversity and climate change.

Weaving Life

Indigenous women’s organizations of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán, Guatemala gathered to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies, and dialogue with stakeholders.

FSC-IF

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala – The FSC Indigenous Foundation, in collaboration with Hivos and the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB), through the Coordinating Committee of Women Territorial Leaders of Mesoamerica (CMLT), organized a National Meeting of Indigenous Women’s Organizations of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán, Guatemala. This significant event, part of the Indigenous Women’s Economic Empowerment (I-WEE) Initiative, took place on August 8 and 9, to strengthen the empowerment and advocacy of Indigenous women.

The event brought together more than 100 delegates from over 30 Indigenous women’s organizations participating in the I-WEE initiative and key stakeholders from international cooperation and private and public sectors. It served as a platform to explore new solutions and strategies for Indigenous women to be at the center of economic and political actions.

Participants shared knowledge, experiences, and strategies on three crucial topics:

Indigenous women’s political participation and advocacy
Addressing violence against Indigenous women
Economic empowerment of Indigenous women

The Mayan cosmovision was the foundation of the event, opening each day with an offering of gratitude and closing with a spiritual moment. Participants sat in a circle around an altar in the center with offerings of candles symbolizing the four cardinal points, as well as the Heart of Heaven, the Heart of the Earth, and flowers. The slogan for the event was “Weaving Life.”

Day 1: Empowerment and recognition among Indigenous women

During the first day, delegates of Indigenous women’s organizations connected, shared wisdom, and discussed their experiences on the three key topics.

In the first word circle, “Indigenous women and their participation in politics, in decision-making spaces and the challenges and opportunities encountered,” Indigenous women emphasized the importance of being recognized as active subjects in politics and decision-making. They shared challenges such as violence, machismo, competition between women, and discrimination, for example for wearing their traditional clothing. They proposed solutions for increasing the visibility of Indigenous women, starting in the family, all the way to participation in politics. Media and communications can be a tool for change. Another solution proposed was the need for workshops for men to understand how to treat and work with women. One conclusion was clear – the need for regulations promoting parity and alternation, not just in the political sphere.

Those who did not have the opportunity to speak added their ideas with post-it notes to the wall, and this information was collected and incorporated into the dialogues the following day with stakeholders.

The next word circle, “Advocacy actions that can be implemented by communities to reduce violence against Indigenous women,” featured two life stories of Indigenous women survivors of violence who have managed to leave abusive relationships. They have taken on leadership roles in their communities, helping others to overcome violence.

Solutions were proposed at all levels, including the need for justice; training for women on rights and for the staff of institutions that guarantee women’s rights on how to provide dignified, respectful, accessible, and culturally relevant care; and the importance of self-love.

“I feel fortunate to be a Mayan woman,” said one participant.

Participants also discussed the importance of healing processes and ceremonies, and Nan Graciela Velasquez Chuc led a healing process with plants.

The final word circle of the day, “What is being done for the economic development and entrepreneurship of Indigenous women” included interventions from women involved in various economic projects, from textiles to chocolate and tomatoes. In the absence of political participation due to racism, economic development was noted as a key channel for Indigenous women’s empowerment.

Women shared their stories to create businesses, highlighting key challenges such as water scarcity, harvest loss, sanitary licenses, organizational strengthening, production equipment, and the need for increased technical knowledge. Indigenous women’s organizations have been overcoming these challenges through knowledge exchanges, healing from the Mayan cosmovision, and articulating exactly what they wanted to achieve. One participant noted that this is the definition of empowerment – knowing what you want and seeing the path to achieve it.

As a closing of this word circle, Patricia Chuc led a self-care and wellness activity that incorporated breathing, motion, and water.

The day concluded with a cultural evening with a performance by the Maya Kaqchikel group Sotz’il Jay and a reading by Mayan poet Negma Coy. It invited a reflection on how art can be healing and a uniting force.

Day 2: Collaborative dialogues with key actors

On the second day, key actors from communities, Indigenous Peoples’ authorities, local and national governments, UN agencies, implementing partners, multilateral organizations, businesses, and civil society joined the event for inclusive dialogues. The contributions and insights from Indigenous women gathered the previous day were organized into prioritized topics. These were then shared during the dialogues to ensure the creation of impactful actions and strategies that consider the identity and culture of Indigenous women.

The first dialogue “Actions to promote the political participation of Indigenous women” highlighted the importance of Indigenous women’s own mobilization and advocacy. Participants also noted the need for transparent information on resources directed to them, and for projects and programs that respond to Indigenous women’s realities, priorities, and leadership.

Indigenous women’s power and valuable contributions were highlighted, especially in the promotion of peace. Women have different ways of seeing and making decisions, and this complementarity is needed at all levels. One Indigenous woman participant noted the “wealth of the struggles we have in common.”

At the end of this dialogue, the Indigenous women participants read the demands they had formulated the day before, which included: reform of the Electoral and Political Parties Law, promoting that each political party has at least 50% participation of Indigenous women; creation and promotion of opportunities for women by the State to participate in socio-political environments under equal conditions; strengthening and financing of institutions created to protect and promote the rights of Indigenous women.

The second dialogue “Actions to prevent and reduce violence against Indigenous women” highlighted the importance of education of women and youth on their rights.

The women’s demands included: a judicial system that responds effectively to complaints of violence with cultural relevance; better medical and psychological health care for survivors of violence, as well as training for health personnel; mass visual and radio awareness campaigns aimed at the entire population to promote a culture of peace and prevention of violence; culturally relevant care for women in Mother languages with respect for their culture, beliefs, and way of life; laws, policies, plans and programs in favor of women respond to their needs and emerge from the grassroots level.

The final dialogue of the day “I support economic development and Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship” highlighted the need for concrete and transparent funding, beyond words of commitment.

The women read their demands in this area, mentioning: facilitating market access for Indigenous women’s products; providing women with seed capital to strengthen their enterprises; providing Indigenous women with new technologies and capacity building for their use, together with their Indigenous knowledge; promoting spaces for the exchange of experiences at the local, national, regional and international levels with Indigenous women entrepreneurs; and that implementing partners do not duplicate efforts, but rather develop integral processes according to their specialties to support enterprises.

To close the two-day event, participants received recognition awards created in wood with the name of the event in ancient Mayan epigraphic writing, before an energetic closing before the alter to end the two-day meeting.

Pioneering elements of this initiative

The FSC Indigenous Foundation introduced several pioneering elements at the event, emphasizing an Indigenous women’s cosmovision perspective.

One of the key innovations was providing simultaneous interpretation in the Mayan languages K’iche’ and Mam, in addition to Spanish and English, to facilitate participation in the women’s mother languages. The FSC-IF, in collaboration with Angloservicios, provided training for the K’iche’ and Mam interpreters on using Zoom’s virtual interpretation booths. This likely marks the first time simultaneous interpretation of Indigenous languages has been included in a national event in Guatemala.

Another crucial element was childcare provision, recognizing that many women cannot attend activities and workshops due to childcare responsibilities. The FSC-IF has incorporated childcare in all I-WEE workshops so mothers participate fully while their children engage and learn together. Facilitators used a ludo-pedagogical methodology, incorporating elements of the Mayan cosmovision for the children.

The way forward

This event underscores the commitment of the FSC Indigenous Foundation and its partners to support Indigenous women’s organizations in Guatemala to lead their development. The Meeting initiated concrete actions to promote Indigenous women’s economic, political, and social empowerment.

FSC-IF will consolidate the results of the dialogues of the meeting together with the demands articulated by Indigenous women. We will return this information to the Indigenous women’s organizations to accompany them, together with partners and allies, in positioning in different spaces and mechanisms of decision-making, resource mobilization, and design and implementation of programs and projects.

We are continuously seeking technical and financial partners to expand our work with I-WEE and other crucial initiatives. If your organization or business is interested in collaborating with us and with Indigenous women for sustainable change, we invite you to connect at fsc.if@fsc.org.

About I-WEE

The I-WEE initiative works with Indigenous women and girls in Guatemala and Honduras to promote their economic empowerment by strengthening capacities, generating enabling environments for their active participation and advocacy, and strengthening productive initiatives led by Indigenous women. It is implemented by FSC-IF in collaboration with partners AMBP, Hivos, UNDP, FAO, and UN Women / Indigenous Women’s Platform and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) with private sector partners.

About FSC Indigenous Foundation

The FSC Indigenous Foundation is a global Indigenous organization promoting Indigenous-led actions for their development and self-reliance. We work 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.

About AMPB

The Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB) is a network of Indigenous Peoples and local communities that protect the largest forested areas from Panama to Mexico, seeking solutions for a balanced coexistence with nature safeguarding ancestral knowledge and combining it with innovative ideas. The AMPB promotes capacity building for Indigenous women through the Coordinating Unit of Territorial Women Leaders of Mesoamerica (CMLT).

About Hivos

The Humanist Institute for the Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos) is an international organization working for a world in which people can realize their full potential and unleash their ingenuity and creativity to build just and sustainable societies for themselves and future generations. Hivos’ mission is to amplify and connect voices that promote social and environmental justice and challenge power imbalances.

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