Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, IITC, updating the Indigenous Peoples Caucus on the negotiations for the “Just Transition Work Plan,” which is targeted for completion at COP 28. 

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) is being held from 30 November until 12 December in Dubai
 The International Indian Treaty Council has accredited a delegation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives to participate at the 28º Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28). The delegation includes IITC Staff, Board members and affiliate representatives from the North America, Latin America/Caribbean, Arctic and Pacific Regions.  In addition to Andrea Carmen, IITC’s Executive Director,  three formally-designated knowledge holders Faith Gemmill (IITC Board Member, Arctic Village), Angel Valencia (IITC affiliate Yoemem Tekia Foundation Board member and IITC Environmental Health advisor) and Taily Terena, youth knowledge holder and IITC staff member from Brazil.  IITC has also credentialed Anaru Fraser, Māori Affiliate and IITC representative on the IPC Asia-Pacific Small Scale Fisheries Commission, as well as Chief Gary Harrison from IITC affiliate Chickaloon Village who is also an IITC representative working with UN FAO and the IPC on fisheries issues. 

IITC Affiliate, Foundation for the Promotion of  Traditional Knowledge (Panama), provided credentials for an additional two members of the IITC team, staff members Onelin  Masardule (who takes on the youth organizer role ) and Ghazali Ohorella, a key advocacy team leader.  

IITC’s focus at COP28 seeks to ensure that the rights, participation, knowledge, and ways of life of Indigenous Peoples are respected in key areas including Loss and Damage, Just Transition away from fossil fuels and industrial food production, and Article 6 (“market and non-market mechanisms”).  IITC delegates participated in pre-COP meetings such as the Facilitative Working Group on Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples and will continue to engage the Indigenous Caucus meetings, track negotiations, and meet with State (Country) delegations. IITC has also co-organized and or organized 4 side events that will take place at COP28.  

“IITC is actively engaged in the negotiations at COP 28 in order to protect and safeguard the rights of Indigenous Peoples in these discussions and decisions and promote action that will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions to keep the planet inhabitable for Indigenous Peoples and all our relatives, now and in the future.” – Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, IITC 

Side events at COP28 co-organized or organized by IITC:  

Transition Minerals and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: “Just Transition” or False Solution? 

 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: REDRESSING VIOLATIONS OF OUR RIGHTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS 

PROTECTING OUR FISHERIES AND WATER-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS 

 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE LOSS AND DAMAGE NEGOTIATIONS AT COP 28 AND BEYOND 

Angel Valencia, Yaqui Nation, designated COP 28 Indigenous Knowledge Holder  and IITC delegate stands beside his photo today at the IIPFCC Pavilion.