High level conference turns out to be not only a high hopes let down but a high hopes failure.

UNPO has long pressed for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples and minority communities in talks designed to discuss and debate the effects of climate change. In February 2008 UNPO participated in a non-governmental stakeholder conference hosted by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on the topic of climate change, where it reiterated the importance of such inclusion. Coming away from the event in February UNPO had high hopes its calls for greater inclusion would be considered when the FAO convened its high level conference on climate change this week in Rome, Italy. Now however, as UNPO General Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin participates at the high level event in Rome, it appears marginalised communities once again have been excluded from all meaningful dialogue.

The Hague, 4 June 2008 - Global warming and climate change are two issues that have become particularly pertinent in recent years. Not only do these problems effect the environment for future generations, they are widespread, impacting the entire globe. 

All too often indigenous peoples and minorities experience the devastating impacts of climate change, but are incapable of implementing initiatives to mitigate the consequences. Furthermore they are consistently shut out of international dialogue concerned with finding solutions to these disturbing climate change problems. 

UNPO has consistently called for greater representation of indigenous peoples and minority groups in climate change meetings and organisation, including inclusion in international organisations and other UN instruments and mechanisms dedicated to addressing climate change. 

Moreover, unrepresented communities, ethnic minorities, and indigenous peoples must participate in higher level international meetings on climate change. The United Nations FAO high level conference Climate Change, Bioenergy and Food Security: Challenges for the New Millennium from 3 – 5 June 2008 in Rome, Italy was a classic opportunity for such participation. 

Unfortunately this opportunity has been missed, as unrepresented communities have again been excluded from any consequential dialogue during this event. UNPO is deeply disappointed in this lost opportunity. 

Instead too much attention has been given to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the other Mugabe-style oppressors present. 

The first day did not result in any decent commitments by government leaders on the very urgent climate change issues up for discussion. A final document which is modest at best is rumoured to be the outcome of the three-day conference. 

UNPO urges the conference to take prompt action to ensure indigenous people and minority communities are included in the event’s negotiations, as well as in the greater process of addressing climate change.

Finally, UNPO stresses the need to protect the human rights of all nations and peoples, including the right to survive and to thrive as a community – conditions which the effects of climate change will continue to relentlessly challenge if not addressed with serious commitment by the international community.

Note:

The UNPO presented two position papers at the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization. 

To download the general position paper, please click here. (PDF format, 132kb)

To download the position paper on the Ogoni, from the Niger River Delta, please click here. (PDF format, 162kb)