Statement of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change to the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Abstract

This article presents statements submitted by the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change to the 14th Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2008. It emphasizes the critical need to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ fundamental rights in climate negotiations and highlights the severe impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities. The article calls for their full participation in decision-making processes and strongly opposes mechanisms like REDD programs without free, prior, and informed consent. It advocates for the establishment of an Expert Group on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change and the setting of robust emissions reduction targets. The article also urges the suspension of REDD initiatives until Indigenous rights are fully acknowledged and respected.