In December 2009 as world leaders and negotiators talk in Copenhagen, Associazione A Sud suggests the need to keep in mind the declaration of the indigenous peoples of Abya Yala. At the conclusion of the International Conference on “The Role of Indigenous Peoples in the Protection of Bio-Cultural Diversity: the Effect of Deforestation and Gas Emissions on Climate Change”, the indigenous peoples of Abya Yala submitted a declaration emphasising the disproportionate impact on indigenous peoples from climate change caused by industrialised countries. When it comes to developing policies and programs to mitigate climate change impacts, indigenous peoples are often marginalised. A translation of their declaration and eight point demand can be found here.
The conference was held in the Qollasuyo district of the province of La Paz, Bolivia on 19 March 2008. The event was organised by the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), Coordinadora Andina De Organizaciones Indigenas (CAOI), United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Central American Indigenous Council (CAIC), Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues and Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and Caribbean.
Photo: www.asud.net/index.php
