UN Forum Calls for Strengthening the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Overcome the Climate Crisis

Every country must switch from an anthropocentric approach to a biocentric approach for the sake of a healthier Earth.

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The atmosphere of the global indigenous community meeting which took place at the United Nations Office, New York, United States, 15-26 April 2024.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Global indigenous peoples community meeting which took place at the United Nations Office (UN), New York, United States , April 15-26 2024, calls on all countries to prioritize the rights of indigenous peoples. Especially in terms of sovereignty, protection, and state budget policies for indigenous communities

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) has emphasized that every country must shift from an anthropocentric approach to a biosentrist approach to ensure that future generations can have a healthier Earth. To achieve this, direct funding support from countries to indigenous communities, who are the frontline guardians of biodiversity, is needed.

This forum was attended by more than 2,000 participants and representatives from the United Nations. Indonesia was involved and represented by the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN).

Support from the state to indigenous communities allows them to assert their rights, carry out economic, social, and cultural development, as well as fund their governmental structures. This has been regulated in the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

"The elimination of barriers to financial flows is crucial in ensuring direct access for indigenous communities to carry out our actions and programs, to obtain ways and means to finance our own governance, and to maintain self-determination," said Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair of UNPFII, in a statement on Saturday (27/4/2024).

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

The Matolang Watukapepi Indigenous Community gathered at the traditional house, Uma Mbatangu, in Matawai Pawali Village, Lewa District, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday (11/1/2024).

However, funding from the government for communities, especially for climate change mitigation, is still far from their needs. However, indigenous communities maintain 80 percent of the remaining biodiversity in the world. Funding for forest tenure and management rights from 2011 to 2020 was less than 1 percent of international climate funding, with actual recipients possibly only receiving around 0.13 percent.

In addition, attention from countries on indigenous women and children is still very minimal. The UNPFII urges national leaders to empower them, including increasing the involvement of indigenous women and youth in policy-making.

"The contribution of indigenous women is very valuable to our community. We must take action now to ensure that they have equal access to funding and support, empowering them to lead and succeed," said Sonia Guajajara, Brazil's Minister of Indigenous Peoples.

Also read: Achievement of Recognition of Traditional Areas Still Low

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AMAN Secretary General Rukka Sombolinggi was a speaker at a meeting of the global indigenous community held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA on April 15-26, 2024.

This forum was attended by more than 2,000 participants and representatives from the UN. Indonesia is involved and represented by Nusantara Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN). AMAN Secretary General Rukka Sombolinggi attended one of the UNPFII workshops discussing tracking funding for indigenous communities on April 18.

"There are many global funds committed to supporting indigenous communities. However, global studies have shown that between 2011-2020, less than 1 percent were implemented and directly managed by indigenous communities," said Rukka.

Also read: Indigenous Communities' Struggle Threatens to Become More Difficult under the Prabowo-Gibran Government

Rukka stated that indigenous communities currently represent 6.2 percent of the global population. With such a small percentage of funding, they bear the burden of preserving 80 percent of the world's remaining biodiversity.

Brazil Meeting

From New York, AMAN representatives shifted focus to Brazil to attend the Great Meeting of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil or Acampamento Terra Livre on Thursday (25/4/2024). In this forum, AMAN shared the struggle of indigenous communities in Indonesia amidst climate change.

Rukka recounted his experience in the last five years in his traditional village in Tanate Kindan, Lembang Madandan, Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi, which has suffered from the effects of climate change. One of their best crops, namely coffee, no longer blooms.

"This year, my community will not get any of our first coffee beans," said Rukka.

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AMAN Secretary General Rukka Sombolinggi (third from the right) became a speaker at the Great Meeting of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil or Acampamento Terra Livre in Brazil on Thursday (25/4/2024).

Therefore, Rukka emphasizes that indigenous communities must be at the forefront of climate solutions to combat climate change. This is because the majority of biodiversity ecosystems, including forests which we currently have, are still present due to the role of indigenous community guardianship.

The issue of indigenous communities in Brazil is not much different from Indonesia. Recognition and protection from the state are still a dream for indigenous communities that has yet to be fulfilled.

Also read: Claiming President Jokowi's promises to indigenous communities before leaving office

Coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (AIPB), Dinamam Tuxa, revealed that violence and murder against indigenous community leaders in Brazil are on the rise. The mental health issues among indigenous communities are also increasing, with a recent surge in suicide cases in indigenous communities, particularly in areas of agrarian conflict that encroach on their indigenous land.

"We hope that all of the cases that have occurred so far can subside, and we would be grateful if they could be stopped," said Tuxa, calling for the promise made by Brazilian President Lula da Silva to speed up the process of recognizing indigenous communities to be fulfilled.