14 November 2008
CBD Executive Secretary Highlights Indigenous Peoples’ Opportunities to Contribute to Climate Change Solutions
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12 November 2008: In an address to the Global Indigenous Peoples Consultation on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), taking place from 12-14 November 2008, in Baguio City, the Philippines, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), highlighted the opportunity for indigenous and local communities to contribute to the […]

United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies 12 November 2008: In
an address to the Global Indigenous Peoples Consultation on Reducing Emissions
from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), taking place from 12-14
November 2008, in Baguio City, the Philippines, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD), highlighted the opportunity for indigenous and
local communities to contribute to the formation and implementation of possible
solutions to climate change, such as REDD schemes, to ensure that their
traditional knowledge, rights and biological diversity are protected and
enhanced in the process.

He further noted that REDD efforts have the potential
to contribute significantly to achieving the CBD objectives. He also warned
that these may also be harmful, giving the example of some afforestation
projects that involve the planting of monocultures of invasive species, such as
eucalyptus, at the expense of native species in grasslands and agricultural
landscapes. The consultation is organized by Tebtebba
(Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education),
the UN University Institute of Advanced Studies, the UN REDD Programme and the
CBD Secretariat.
The event seeks to bring together around 30 international
indigenous leaders to: review the current level of involvement of indigenous
communities in the global debate on REDD, and compile views on related
challenges and opportunities; consider strategies for indigenous coalitions to
effectively engage in international REDD processes; develop a capacity-building
strategy for indigenous peoples; and consider the need for additional tools for
influencing the development of REDD schemes. [The Statement] [Consultation Website]

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