November 11, 2024
Baku, Azerbaijan
Respectful Greetings,
2024 has been the hottest year in recorded history, surpassing 1.5 degrees, and causing devastating physical and spiritual losses and damages in our homelands. States have failed to take necessary action to phase out fossil fuels and implement a Just Transition to sustainable, non-carbon-based energy sources.
At the same time, States are imposing false solutions enabled by Article 6, including geo-engineering, as well as extraction of so-called transition minerals which do not reverse the climate crisis. We call upon States to alter this destructive path which further violates our distinct rights and inevitably leads to genocide and ecocide.
Indigenous Peoples offer time-tested knowledge, practices, expertise, and science for protection of soils, oceans and waters, plants, animals and seeds as solutions for adaptation and Just Transition. We reiterate our call for direct, dedicated, simplified, equitable financing mechanisms for Indigenous Peoples from all regions, including in the NCQG. This will support our initiatives for protection and restoration of vital ecosystems.
Indigenous women, children and youth are key for the transmission of climate-related knowledge. We recognize the important role of the International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change in this regard.
Finally, we reiterate the distinct status, rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and our call for this and future COPs to stop combining the terms “Indigenous Peoples” and “local communities” in all decisions, names of bodies and programs within the UNFCCC.
We look forward to making real progress at COP 29 for our Peoples, future generations and the planet we call our Mother.
Thank you.
