For further information contact the LCIPP team via lcipp@unfccc.int
Indigenous Values, Knowledge, and Self-Determination: Foundations for Collective Resilience and Climate Action
Background
Activity 1, under the workplan of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) for 2022-2024, calls for the organization of annual meetings in conjunction with the sessions of the COP. It calls for, with the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous knowledge holders, to expand and enhance the inclusion of traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems in addressing and responding to climate change. These approaches should, align consistently with rights-based international safeguards and Indigenous Peoples’ cultural protocols.
This activity falls under LCIPP’s knowledge function to “promote the exchange of experience and best practices with a view to applying, strengthening, protecting and preserving traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems, as well as technologies, practices and efforts of local communities and Indigenous Peoples related to addressing and responding to climate change, taking into account the free, prior and informed consent of the holders of such knowledge, innovations, and practices”.
Annual gatherings bring together knowledge holders to share and promote adaptation actions that are based on and guided by the best available science, including traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, and local knowledge systems in accordance with Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
Objectives
The annual gathering of knowledge holders will:
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Foster Intergenerational and Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange: The first part of the meeting will facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge across generations and sociocultural regions. The second part will focus on good practices for ethical and equitable engagement of Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge systems within climate policies and actions.
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Enhance Diverse Engagement in Climate Action: Strengthen the involvement of Indigenous youth, women, children, persons with disabilities, and local communities in climate policies and actions at all levels.
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Highlight the Cultural Heritage and Languages of Indigenous Peoples: Foster a shared understanding of the role of culture and language in advancing Indigenous peoples' self-determination and shaping transformational climate policies and actions.
Thematic Focus
Cultural heritages and languages are integral to the identities of Indigenous Peoples, shaping and transmitting their values, worldviews, and knowledge systems. These are often grounded in reciprocal relationships with the natural world emphasizing reciprocity, balance, gratitude and care for all living beings.
The rich and diverse cultures and languages of Indigenous Peoples are also fundamental to exercising their self-determination and decision-making. The United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) also proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
This gathering will also focus on the cultural heritages and language of Indigenous Peoples in the context of self-determination and their role in addressing climate change in a holistic way.
Approach
The LCIPP annual gathering will be designed to feature two sessions. This event regards Part I:
Part I: Exchange amongst knowledge holders (Coordination Meeting)
Intergenerational and Cross-regional Knowledge-sharing amongst Indigenous knowledge Holders
The first part of the gathering will serve as a coordination meeting amongst Indigenous knowledge holders, including youth, focused on intergenerational and cross-regional knowledge sharing and development of recommendations based on Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge, methods, lived experiences, and practices, and discussion about how and what information and recommendations will be shared in part two.
Outcome
The discussions and recommendations from the gathering, including best practices, will be compiled in a report, enriching the deliberations under the UNFCCC processes.
Opening Indigenous Invocation by Saina - Savvinova Ekaterina (Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia, and Transcaucasia)
Opening
• Welcome and scene setting presentation, including
- Overview of Activity 1 of the LCIPP workplan for 2022-2024
- Outcomes from the third annual gathering at COP 28 and
- Overview of the theme of this year’s gathering
by Cathryn Eatock, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Round Table 1: Land and Water: Reciprocity as a Pathway to Climate Resilience
Discussion Questions:
1. How do Indigenous values and worldviews guide sustainable land and water management?
2. What are concrete and equitable ways to incorporate the knowledge and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples related to land and water stewardship into national and global climate policies and actions?
Knowledge holder from each region responds to framing questions:
- Aii Shatu Ali (Africa)
- Amina Akhapasheva (Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia)
- Anna Nuariki (the Pacific)
- Mrinal Kanti Tripura (Asia)
- Nils Per Olof Nutti (the Arctic)
- Priscilla Settee (North America)
- TBD (Central and South America and the Caribbean)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other knowledge holders
Moderation by Cathryn Eatock, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Round Table 2: Salient Voices from the Ground: Indigenous-led Decision-Making
Discussion Questions:
• Indigenous governance systems and decision making prioritizes community-centric decision-making, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all voices are heard. Could you share experiences from your region/communities on how such processes, grounded in your culture, could contribute to climate justice in climate policies and actions?
• How do Indigenous decision-making processes differ from other governance structures? In what ways can they contribute to inclusive and effective climate policies?
• Are there specific mechanisms you recommend to ensure Indigenous leadership in climate governance? If so, what are they?
Knowledge holder from each region responds to framing questions:
- Andrei Issakov (Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia Russia)
- Elias Sakau (Africa)
- Janne Kalervo Hirvasvuopio (the Arctic)
- Joe Baxter Bernard (Asia)
- Kaleb Proctor (North America)
- Maria Jose Andrade Cerda(Central and South America and the Caribbean)
- Patrick Pate (the Pacific)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other knowledge holders
Moderation by Cathryn Eatock, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Lunch break
Round Table 3: Cultural Heritage and Language: Protecting Identity, Protecting Nature
Discussion Questions:
1. How do cultures and languages shape Indigenous Peoples’ approaches to environmental stewardship and climate action?
2. In what ways can the protection and preservation of cultures and languages of Indigenous Peoples, and local languages, contribute to more effective climate policies and actions?
3. What recommendations or concrete actions could you propose to develop adaptive strategies for preserving cultural practices and languages guided by traditional knowledge, Indigenous knowledge and local knowledge systems?
Knowledge holder from each region responds to framing questions:
- Andrei Issakov (Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia)
- Daisy Chepkopus (Africa)
- Louis Papis Chemnitz (the Arctic)
- Naw Khin Moe (Asia)
- Samuel Womsiwor (the Pacific)
- Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore / Chief Gary (North America)
- TBD (Central and South America and the Caribbean)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other knowledge holders
Moderated by Graeme Reed Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Round Table 4: Pathways to Resilient Futures: Bridging Generations for Climate Action and Self-Determination
Discussion Questions:
• Indigenous Peoples, and their knowledge systems offer invaluable insights for addressing the climate crisis. What practices, knowledge systems have you learnt from your elders?
• How can intergenerational knowledge sharing be strengthened to ensure that youth carry forward Indigenous-led climate action?
• What are the specific roles and responsibilities of Indigenous youth and youth from local communities?
• Could you provide recommendations or practices on tools you have been using to support community-led solutions? What role does this play in climate action?
Indigenous youth from each region responds to framing questions:
- Daisy Chepkopus (Africa)
- Janne Kalervo Hirvasvuopio (The Arctic)
- Joe Baxter Bernard (Asia)
- Maria Jose Andrade Cerda(Central and South America and the Caribbean)
- Maria Michurova (Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia)
- Samuel Womsiwor (The Pacific)
- Skw’akw’as (Sunshine) Dunstan-Moore (North America)
Open dialogue featuring reflections on the discussion questions from other Indigenous youth and youth from local communities
Moderation by Graeme Reed, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Open discussion amongst knowledge holders focusing on self-determination:
• How does self-determination empower Indigenous communities to protect their lands, language and culture in the face of climate change?
• Reflecting on our conversations today, what suggestions do you have for strengthening decision-making, and furthering youth involvement?
Moderation by Cathryn Eatock, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Contributing to the next workplan of the LCIPP:
The report of the FWG of the LCIPP also contains a draft workplan of the Platform, for 2025–2027 (see Annex I of the report here). If COP 29 adopts the decisions recommended by SBSTA 60, the FWG will implement a new workplan for 2025.
Under the new workplan, the Collective Approach 1 refers to organization of the gathering of knowledge holders.
Under this segment, the knowledge holders are invited to reflect on the following:
• What theme would you like the FWG members to take into consideration for the next annual gathering of knowledge holders to be held in conjunction with COP 30?
• Do you have any suggestions on enhancing the design of the annual gathering of knowledge holders?
Moderation by Graeme Reed, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP
Overview of Next Steps and Closing
by Graeme Reed, Activity 1 Co-lead, Facilitative Working Group of the LCIPP