UCTP Taíno News – Indigenous leaders from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world have reached unanimous agreement on defining a “Just Transition” with respect to impacted or potentially impacted Indigenous Peoples. About 100 delegates gathered in Geneva, Switzerland for the JUST TRANSITION: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives, Knowledge, and Lived Experiences Summit from 8-10 October to deliberate on and collectively develop text identifying Indigenous Peoples principles and protocols. The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) was one of the coordinating organizations for the summit. The document seeks to provide clarity on what the transition to “clean” or “green” energy and development must do to respect the rights and protect the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Eleven (11) principles were outlined for corporate and State actors to adhere to when designing and implementing projects in the name of just, sustainable, or “green” initiatives. The document makes it clear that activities that are being proposed or carried out on Indigenous “…lands, ice, waters and territories in the name of just transition, green economy, green/clean energy, or emissions reduction, without the obtainment of our free, prior and informed consent or which threaten our sacred places, cultural practices, Indigenous Peoples’ food sources, and ecosystems, or otherwise violate our inherent rights, are not a just transition.” Along with its role as a member of the Coordination Committee, a delegation of UCTP representatives attend the gathering, including UCTP President, Roberto Múkaro Borrero; Tekina Tai Pelli; and registered community member Mery Jane Ynfante from Kiskeia (Dominican Republic). All were active during the deliberations and drafting process. Tai Pelli, the UCTP’s International Relations and Human Rights Officer shared a presentation on the effects of extractive industries in the Caribbean.
The Summit’s outcome document is now available in several languages. Along with the UCTP, the Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee (IPGCC), includes Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition, International Indian Treaty Council (IITC); Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP); Saami Council; Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC); PINGO’s Forum; He Kainga Indigenous Solutions, Aotearoa; Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA); Association Des Femmes Peules & Peuples Autochtones Du Tchad (AFPAT); Nyungar Nation; and Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North (CSIPN).
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