COP28: Indigenous Peoples' Caucus Delivers Opening Plenary Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 1, 2023

Dubai, UAE – The Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus started COP28 off strong, delivering a bold statement at the conference’s opening plenary yesterday morning.

The crowd at the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change during COP28. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

The full statement, which was read by Pema Wangmo Lama Mugum, an Indigenous youth activist belonging to the Mugum Indigenous Community from Nepal, can be viewed here.

“Our inherent, distinct, internationally-recognized rights are affirmed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – we will not allow these rights to be diminished, undermined, combined or confused in any way,” said Pema. “We commit to work with States to implement real solutions based on our knowledge, practices, time-tested sciences, reciprocity with the natural world and Mother Earth, and the full exercise of our rights. Our collective survival is at stake and our children and future generations require action without delay.”

Pema Wangmo Lama Mugum, an Indigenous youth activist belonging to the Mugum Indigenous Community from Nepal, reads a powerful statement on behalf of Indigenous Peoples Organizations at the Opening session of COP28. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

Over the course of the conference, the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus will meet daily and uplift following priorities and more:

The development of a strong Article 6 grievance mechanism
Loss and damage strategies that prioritize prevention
Just transition that respects Indigenous rights and knowledge
The creation of finance and funding mechanisms that are designed by and directly accessible to Indigenous Peoples from all regions
Moratorium on false solutions that violate Indigenous rights
Equitable phase out of fossil fuels.
For all elements of the Paris Agreement to be considered in the global stocktake.

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NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building, and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.