Indigenous Peoples Dialogue on Climate Change for COP 21

By: Edward Porokwa- Pastoralists Indigenous NGOs Forum- PINGOs Forum 

Dialogue on Indigenous People

• Supported by UNDP on October 1-2, 2015 at Arusha• Attended by more than 40 indigenous peoples representatives

from all areas of indigenous peoples• Attended by high level government representatives including

negotiators from the

• Vice president office

• Ministry of Finance

• Prime minister office

• Local Government District Authority

• Ministry of Natural resource and Tourism

• Different development partners

What was Unique about it

It is the first one that brought together the high level government into a dialogue with Indigenous people

Well attended by relevant stakeholder.

Provided an opportunity for both parties to make presentation and interrogate each other

First time that indigenous peoples got the opportunity to know what the government intend to address during the COPs sessions.

Provided an opportunity to know what the government and indigenous peoples have to share in common as positions ( adaptation)

What were discussedThere were presentations of Indigenous peoples

where the following issues were stressed:Climate variability as a reality-Climate change as justification for land grabs Prolonged droughts.-Desertification.-Invasive species.-Drying water points.

TWO ISSUES CAME FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

1. Reality of climate change and its direct impacts to Indigenous peoples

2. Climate change interventions and the impacts to indigenous peoples

Impact of climate change

Immediate caused by Draught Deforestation Flood Desertification Invasive species.

The above causes Food insecurity Decline of Traditional institution Unnecessary Mobility Conflicts Loss of livestock and properties

6

Impact caused by mitigation interventions of CC

Restrictive and suppressive policies

Inappropriate plans and programs

Land insecurity

Lack of involvement

poverty increase

Unemployment

Urban migration

Land conflicts

unnecessary mobility 7

Outcome of the consultation

Indigenous peoples came out with a resolution that was submitted to the government

The resolution provided recommendations that indigenous peoples sought to the government and to the global community.

Priority massages and recommendations

Support recognition of a human rights-based approach which respects indigenous peoples' rights in climate-change agreements and related actions

That in the on going ADP sessions (human rights and gender equity) under UNFCCC negotiations support indigenous peoples' rights to lands, territories and resources.

Priority massages and recommendations

Support inclusion of indigenous traditional knowledge and role of indigenous peoples in adaptation and mitigation in the Paris agreements and other future actions.

Recognize and support of indigenous peoples' community- based monitoring and information systems (CBMIS)

IP argued the Republic of Tanzania to accept and respect indigenous peoples' rights to full and effective participation in all climate change actions and UNFCCC institutions.

Priority massages and recommendations

Domesticate human rights instruments that support the human rights of Indigenous peoples including the UNDRIP and other relevant UN and Regional instruments.

Tanzania to make necessary incorporation of the rights of indigenous peoples in its legislation

Priority massages and recommendations

Support indigenous peoples in adaptation and addressing visible impacts of climate change including emerging of invasive species, increasing and emerging of new animals diseases, conflicts with other land users

Facilitate community forest management by indigenous peoples and ensure co existence of indigenous peoples with their natural resources including the wildlife.

Priority massages and recommendations

Provide a framework for early warning and contingency plans that incorporate both conventional knowledge systems and indigenous knowledge

Priority massages and recommendations

Ensure and support traditional an communal land ownership and mobility

Ensure that indigenous peoples, particularly pastoralists and hunter gatherers take part in management of their natural resources through appropriate land use mechanisms