For further information contact the LCIPP team via lcipp@unfccc.int
As set out in the Baku Workplan of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), Collective Approach 1 seeks to shift global climate change discussions under the UNFCCC process to incorporate the values, worldviews, intergenerational wisdom and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and knowledge of local communities, thus fostering a profound connection with nature. It also aims to enhance global climate action by elevating the recommendations, practical examples and insights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, emphasizing their climate leadership and nature stewardship.
The Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the LCIPP will convene the Annual Gathering of Knowledge Holders and the Annual Dialogue among Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Parties, constituted bodies, workstreams and other contributors in conjunction with COP 31, as part of the activities under Collective Approach 1.
This is the second annual gathering and dialogue under the Baku Workplan, but will be referred to as the sixth to reflect all annual gatherings and dialogues held under the LCIPP to date. The outcomes from each annual gathering are presented during the corresponding annual dialogue.
At its 15th meeting, the FWG adopted the 2026 LCIPP annual theme: “Advancing holistic climate action through kinship, balance and collective well-being, rooted in cultural heritage, lived realities and diverse knowledge systems,” which will guide the focus areas of the gathering. Four sharing circles will explore:
- Sharing Circle 1: Lived Realities - Experiencing Climate Impacts and Transitions across Communities and Ways of Life;
- Sharing Circle 2: Balance and Diverse Knowledge Systems - Weaving Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Systems across Generations;
- Sharing Circle 3: Collective Well-Being - Grounding Climate Action in Health and Other Community Priorities; and
- Sharing Circle 4: Kinship and Living Ecosystems - Guiding Collective Progress through Relationality and Care.
The annual gathering of knowledge holders (CA1.1) provides a space to share experience, worldviews, stories and practices related to climate action. The outcomes from the gathering are presented during the annual dialogue.
As set out under Collective Approach 1 of the Baku Workplan of the LCIPP, the mandated deliverables from the annual gathering and the annual dialogue include:
- Produce a summary report documenting the discussions at the annual gathering and the annual dialogue, including recommendations and opportunities for further engagement (Deliverable 1.4);
- Compile case stories in diverse formats to feed into the work of relevant constituted bodies and work under relevant UNFCCC workstreams, as appropriate and in accordance with their respective mandates (Deliverable 1.5); and
- Integrate recommendations and concrete examples (from deliverables 1.4–1.5) into relevant work of key constituted bodies and UNFCCC workstreams, in line with the annual theme selected by the FWG (Deliverable 1.6).
Opening Invocation (TBC)
Opening
- Welcome remarks by the FWG representative
- Scene-setting presentation, including an overview of Collective Approach 1 of the Baku Workplan of the LCIPP, introduction of the theme of this year’s gathering, and a reflection on key takeaways from previous annual gatherings.
Sharing Circle 1: Lived Realities - Experiencing Climate Impacts and Transitions across Communities and Ways of Life
Moderated by Agrafena Kotova, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Indigenous Peoples and local communities experience climate change and transitions in different ways across their communities and ways of life. Extreme weather events and other climate impacts can affect livelihoods, ecosystems, access to land and cultural continuity. Transitions, including large-scale energy projects, can also bring significant changes to communities and lands, including through displacement or relocation. This circle invites knowledge holders to share their lived experiences of climate risks across regions, offering perspectives and reflections on what makes transitions just and equitable.
Questions to reflect on:
- What changes are you observing, including extreme weather events, and climate impacts on territories, livelihoods, ecosystems and ways of life? How do experiences differ across regions?
- How have responses to climate change and associated transitions, including low-emission and climate-resilient development, affected your livelihoods, access to lands and ways of life, including through experiences of displacement or relocation?
- What approaches or enabling conditions would make transitions just and equitable while safeguarding livelihoods, cultural continuity, access to lands and ecosystems?
Six knowledge holders from different regions will be invited to respond to discussion questions in plenary (5 -7 mins each):
- Alexandra Andreeva (Local knowledge holder, Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia, and Transcaucasia)
- Alexis Archambault (Indigenous knowledge holder, North America)
- Alhaj Moussa Hamani (Indigenous and local knowledge holder, Africa)
- Lisabeth Norman Cross (Local knowledge holder, The Pacific)
- Luis Alberto Rojas Mogrovejo (Local knowledge holder, Central and South America, and the Caribbean)
- Mohsen Soleymani (Local knowledge holder, Asia)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other knowledge holders (20 mins).
Living cultural and ceremonial practices from Indigenous Peoples and local communities (TBC)
Sharing Circle 2: Balance and Diverse Knowledge Systems - Weaving Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Systems across Generations
Moderated by Victoria Qutuuq Buschman, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Cultural heritage, including practices, languages, spiritual traditions and oral histories, carry diverse knowledge systems across generations, and help ground climate actions in local realities. This circle explores how diverse knowledge systems are passed on and woven into more balanced and relational climate action.
Questions to reflect on:
- What community practices demonstrate how cultural heritage and diverse knowledge systems shape responses to climate change, including food and agriculture?
- How are these practices passed on, renewed or adapted across generations, including through intergenerational knowledge exchange and learning among youth? How can diverse knowledge systems contribute to more balanced, relational and effective climate action?
- From the perspective of your community or region, what makes adaptation adequate and effective? What challenges or opportunities do you see?
Six knowledge holders from different regions will be invited to respond to discussion questions in plenary (5-7 mins each):
- Boswell Haiosi (Indigenous knowledge holder, The Pacific)
- Gwendolyn Natsiq (Indigenous knowledge holder, The Arctic)
- Jose Gudiño (Indigenous knowledge holder, Central and South America, and the Caribbean)
- Luke Rehmat (Indigenous knowledge holder, Asia)
- Thokomelang Ngaka (Indigenous knowledge holder, Africa)
- Valeria Guznenco (Local knowledge holder, Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia, and Transcaucasia)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other knowledge holders (20 mins).
Key Reflections and Takeaways from the Knowledge Holders
Moderated by the Co-leads of the Collective Approach 1, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
The session will focus on:
• Key reflections and takeaways from the sharing circles 1 and 2, which will be presented during the annual dialogue;
• Overview of the design of the annual dialogue.