BAKU, Azerbaijan, CMC –The voices of the indigenous peoples of the Iwokrama Forest, one of the last pristine rainforests in the world, echoed through the hallways of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) here on Tuesday, more than 6,500 miles from their native Guyana.
Namibia, Seychelles, and the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat co-hosted the COP29 side event, Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems for Climate Action: Delivering Together a Resilient Future for All.
It provided an opportunity for those present to witness the wisdom of the Iwokrama through a stunning short film showcasing the power of indigenous knowledge, especially when combined with Western science, to support sustainable livelihoods and economies.
The Commonwealth Secretariat produced the film “Take on What You Need: The Success Story of the Iwokrama Forest” in partnership with the Iwokrama International Centre for Thin Forest Conservation and Development (IIC).
The film’s main character, Michael Williams, the Toshao or chief of Guyana’s Annai Central region, inspired the core message. In the movie, he says, “Take what you need and leave the rest for future generations.”
Since 1996, the Commonwealth Secretariat has worked with the Guyana government to support the IIC. The collaboration is underpinned by the Commonwealth’s 202s Living Lands Charter, which aims to accelerate integrated and sustainable land management in line with the three Rio conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation.
Speaking at the film’s unveiling on Tuesday, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC highlighted indigenous knowledge as vital to unlocking solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
“The Commonwealth Secretariat premiered this film at COP29 so delegates could hear the voices of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and see the success of the ground-breaking Iwokrama Forest model.
“The incredible progress of the last 200 years has come at an unsustainable cost. For a viable future, we must acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have managed their societies more sustainably. Justice, empowerment, and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples will unlock a genuinely prosperous future for us all,” she said.
The Vice Chair of the National Toshaos Council in Guyana, Sonia Latchman, said the video says it all, adding, “In Guyana, we have the solution to the climate crisis, and we have a perfect model for other countries to follow as it relates to diversity in Guyana, from rainforests to savannahs and wetlands.
“Indigenous peoples are significant. Our voices must be heard, our rights respected, and we must be invited to the table. Guyana should be an example because our model works for all Indigenous Peoples and citizens back home.”
Anita Soina, a Maasai environmentalist from Kenya, spoke of the importance of utilizing the experience and culture of communities as part of the fight to tackle the climate crisis:
“Most of the time, Indigenous knowledge is not acknowledged, but we have witnessed the importance of knowledge from our elders. Because of globalization, we are losing our culture and expertise, so we organize activities that allow young people to converse with our elders.
“Young people must be inculcated with knowledge, and we need a lot of support for Indigenous and locally led projects so that it can continue to motivate.”
Historically, indigenous peoples and local communities have been largely excluded from climate negotiations despite their deep knowledge of and connection to nature. As a result, their concerns, knowledge, and insights as stewards of nature, climate, and land have been excluded or compromised.
Over the past few years, calls have grown across several Commonwealth countries to integrate local knowledge and wisdom for elevating Indigenous Peoples’ role in climate and biodiversity negotiations.
The Living Lands Charter complements the ongoing work of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, and the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition(CSET).
This is underpinned by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the principle that they should have Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) about decisions that affect them.
The Iwokrama film also complements the Forest Carbon toolkit launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat at COP29. The toolkit, which includes case studies from Guyana and Rwanda, provides a roadmap to access funding through the voluntary carbon market while protecting the lives and livelihoods of indigenous peoples, local communities, and landowners.
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