Indigenous Peoples and REDD+: Events at UNFCCC-COP18

(Doha, Qatar – 27 November 2012) -- Representatives of Indigenous Peoples organizations from nine Amazonian countries are attending UNFCCC-COP18, as part of the COICA coalition, to highlight their recommendations for REDD+. Of the 800 million hectares of the Amazon Basin, the most important and strategic biome in the planet, 200 million hectares are titled in the name of Indigenous Peoples.

At COP18, COICA is promoting its Indigenous REDD+ Proposal, which includes key recommendations for ensuring that Indigenous Peoples are recognized and included in the process of developing a REDD+ mechanism. COICA’s proposal encompasses more than four million hectares of Amazon forest under pilot Indigenous REDD+ initiatives.

Several key media opportunities exist at COP18 for engaging with COICA on the issue of Indigenous Peoples and REDD+:

Nov. 29 / 13:00, QNCC-Room, Official COP18 Side Event: “Indigenous Peoples, Climate Change and REDD+ in the Amazon” -- a presentation of the Indigenous REDD+ Proposal and REDD+ readiness in eight Amazonian countries.

Dec. 1  / 14:00-19:00, Qatar Sustainability Expo: “Living Amazon: Full Life Territories or Indigenous REDD+” – a special event dedicated to the Amazon, featuring five expert panel discussions on key topics such as finance, pilot projects, safeguards and MRV.

Dec. 3-5 / COICA Stand at QNCC, 13:00 and 19:00: Discussion on Amazonian indigenous REDD+ pilots

Dec. 3-7 / QNCC-Press Room: 12:30 and 17:00: Press conferences by Amazonian indigenous organizations

Bruce Cabarle, Leader of WWF’s global Forest and Climate Initiative, will be speaking at COICA’s official side event on Nov. 29th and at the “Living Amazon” event on December 1st. WWF supports the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in the REDD+ process, as part of its commitment to the REDD+ Five Guiding Principles. WWF has provided technical and scientific advice to COICA in the development of their REDD+ Indigenous Proposal. COICA’s political views remain their own, and are not necessarily those of WWF.

For further information about COICA and its COP18 events, please visit: http://www.coica.org.ec/

For further information about WWF’s REDD+ efforts, please visit www.panda.org/forestclimate or contact forestclimate@wwf.panda.org.