Indigenous Amazon G9 Launched at COP16 – UN Convention on Biodiversity

Indigenous organizations from nine Amazonian countries launched the Indigenous Amazon G9 on October 26 at COP16 (UN Convention on Biodiversity) in Cali, Colombia. The unprecedented alliance, in defense of the Amazon traditional peoples, biodiversity, and the global climate, aims to strengthen the common demands of Indigenous Peoples and increase pressure on governments around the world for climate action.

The Amazon rainforest often called the “lungs of the earth,” covers around 5.5 million square kilometres and plays a significant role in global carbon sequestration. Studies show that it absorbs an estimated 2 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually, making it one of the largest carbon sinks.

This important biome is in danger largely from deforestation, fires, and climate shifts, which are reducing its capacity. Recent data suggests that around 3.5 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest were lost to fires in 2022 and 2023, mainly due to deforestation for agriculture and land clearing for development.

Amazonian communities are among the most vulnerable to the climate crisis, as extreme droughts and abnormal temperatures reduce the volume of their rivers, hinder fishing and hunting, and make it difficult to maintain their traditional culture. Despite “holding up the sky” for all humanity, as Indigenous thinkers have noted, Amazonian peoples continue to suffer persecution and attempts to erase their presence.

Participating organizations formed the G9 coalition in response to governments’ repeated failure to increase commitments to address the climate and biodiversity crises or to fulfill their pledges.

Unlike governments, Indigenous peoples have consistently protected nature and managed their territories effectively, despite limited funding and minimal participation in international negotiations.

The G9 coalition aims to amplify the shared demands of Indigenous Peoples across the Pan-Amazon, increasing pressure on governments to uphold Indigenous rights and protect their lands. The coalition’s work will focus on key areas crucial to Indigenous sovereignty and environmental preservation.

A core priority is biodiversity conservation, advocating for global policies that recognize Indigenous territorial rights and their essential role in protecting biodiversity. The G9 will also emphasize territorial rights by pushing for legal mechanisms, such as land titling and demarcation, to secure Indigenous collective ownership.

Direct financing for Indigenous-led initiatives is another focus, enabling communities to manage resources, conservation, and development projects according to their knowledge and governance systems.

The coalition will further advocate for the protection of isolated and recently contacted Indigenous groups, urging states to respect a “no contact” principle that safeguards these communities and their ecosystems.

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