The following is the Opening Statement of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) at the UNFCCC SB58 meeting in Bonn, Germany, made on June 5, 2023.

On June 5th, 2023, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, an annual celebration established by the UN General Assembly in 1973. Since its inception, the day has become the largest global platform for inspiring positive change and celebrating environmental action.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders is a position that is well known by activists from all around the world.

On August 15-17, MKW Co-conveners and partners will convene the Mni Ki Wakan (Water is Sacred) Summit, themed, “Indigenous Water Justice, Global Collaboration, & Dismantling Water Colonialism,” occurring in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States (mnikiwakan.org). The MKW Summit will bring together Indigenous Peoples, youth, and Indigenous-led environmental water organizations.

According to the Biological Assessment and Ecosystem Services Report, conducted by UNESCO in 2019, "the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization."

Every year, on May 3, we celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.

The second Conference of the Parties to the Escazú Agreement took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 19-21, 2023.

On April 17-28, 2023, the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) took place.

Indigenous economies around the world thrived before European contact. Our robust trade networks connected Tribes and the goods we produced, and people from all over the world gathered in what are now some of today’s modern cities to trade many valuable items. Our ancient highways, i.e., waterways (oceans, bays, rivers, lakes, and tributaries), connected Tribal communities all over the world.