Climate change coupled with extreme weather events such as droughts, heavy rains and flooding have put more than 370 million indigenous peoples around the world at risk, said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“ Since indigenous peoples are contributing significantly to climate change mitigation by living simply, further developing and practicing their traditional knowledge systems and by conserving and sustainably using their forests, agricultural lands, coastal resources, among others, their rights to continue doing these mitigation measures should be respected and protected,” Tauli-Corpuz said.
Held on the same day as the UN Climate Summit in New York two weeks ago, Tauli-Corpuz said the first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples at the UN headquarters was a big leap for indigenous peoples in sharing their perspectives and best practices on the realization of their rights, including pursuing the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.
Tauli-Corpuz explained that the capacities of more than 5,000 tribes in 80 countries to adapt to climate change could be enhanced further if their rights to manage, control and own lands, territories and resources, are recognized and respected.
Thousands of indigenous peoples also participated during Sunday’s People’s Climate March in New York and in major cities, and spoke about the seriousness of climate change in their communities.
“ We want to raise our voices and empower the indigenous peoples,” Tauli-Corpuz said. “ We are the most vulnerable to climate change because most of us live in already fragile ecosystems. We look forward to a climate deal that embraces indigenous rights.”
At the conference attended by over 1,000 indigenous and non-indigenous delegates, a resolution called the “Outcome Document” stressed the strengthening, protection and promotion of the rights for indigenous peoples worldwide as well as preserving traditional knowledge and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
“I am convinced that its action-oriented provisions, when implemented, will bring about sweeping changes for current and future generations of indigenous peoples,” President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, said, urging representatives to “do your part to keep the momentum of our discussions moving forward.”
The Outcome Document also focuses on the rights of indigenous women and addressed the problem of violence against women, which he said “must be at the top of the agenda.”
He noted also references in the text to youth and the challenges they face, from the difficulty in sustaining indigenous languages to preserving traditional knowledge and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
For years, indigenous peoples have been marginalized and suffer from human rights violations, conflicts and displacements due to deforestation, expansion of oil pal plantations, nuclear waste sites, renewable energy projects without free, prior and informed consent.
Tauli-Corpuz, however, said that indigenous peoples too are contributing in their communities on adapting to the changing climate. She cited the planting of mangroves along the coast in many low-lying islands, floating vegetable gardens, indigenous knowledge in planting crops, building sturdy houses, among others.
“ Advancing the contributions and rights of indigenous peoples is a matter of justice and equality. We are also at the forefront of the global effort in combating climate change,” Tauli-Corpuz stressed.
Story by Imelda Abano
Photo credit: UN News Centre; iisd.ca