The annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change gathering drew historic levels of Indigenous attendance in Belém, Brazil last year, leading some to dub it “the Indigenous COP.” But the event was marked by frustration and protest, with many Indigenous leaders calling it little more than a continuation of a longstanding pattern of exclusion from international negotiations.
This year’s gathering in Antalya, Turkey, is billed as an “implementation” conference focused less on sweeping new pledges than on the procedural work of turning previous agreements into action. For Indigenous advocates, that makes COP31, which started November 9, a test of whether the promises made last year translate into tangible changes, including greater authority over climate action.
“It is still a struggle,” said Edward Porokwa, who is Maasai and a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. “I’m yet to really determine whether there will be any more progress that is made in terms of... Read more
