The 12th conference of the parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Nairobi , Kenya from 6-17 November 2006. The International Alliance, as usual, continued to actively participate in and contribute to this process to ensure that indigenous peoples' voices and concerns are heard and properly addressed by the Parties. In so doing, the Alliance undertook a number of activities both prior to and during the conference. These included the commissioning of case studies, participation in the Indigenous preparatory meeting of the International Indigenous Forum on Climate Change (IIFCC) on 4-5 November 2006, and participation in the COP12.
The key concerns and demands that the IIFCC calling for at this conference are still central on the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in all levels of planning, decision making and implementation of climate change programmes and activities. In addition, the IIFCC also made two specific proposals. These are (1) holding an expert meeting with indigenous and non-indigenous experts to discuss the effects of climate change on indigenous peoples at the earliest possible opportunity, and (2) the creation of an UNFCCC Expert Group on Indigenous Peoples, Vulnerability and Adaptation under the SBSTA. These proposals in fact received very little attention from the parties.
Commissioning of case studies
The International Alliance commissioned a range of case studies with the aims to explore the direct effects of climate change and communities' adaptive responses to them and also the impact of the mechanisms put into place under the Kyoto Protocol in particular the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Landuse Landuse Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and Impacts, Vunerability and Adaptation. We hope that the information contained in these case studies will raise awareness of how Indigenous Peoples are affected by and responding to the significant impact of the consequences of climate change on their lives. The case studies are currently available in English in PDF file format.
IIFCCC Preparatory Meeting
The IIFCCC preparatory meeting was held on 4-5 November 2006. The main objectives were to share experiences and knowledge among participants regarding the concerns and impacts of climate change in their respective regions and to develop common strategies to be used for participation in the official conference. In addition, this forum was also, to build capacity for new participants who has yet familiar with this issue.
Participation in the COP12
The indigenous delegates actively participated and focused on several key topics within the UNFCCC process during the Conference of the Parties (COP). The representatives lobbied strongly for their rights by providing interventions at meetings and plenary sessions, participating in contact groups, organising press conference, and meeting with the leading executives within the process (including the President of the COP/MOP, Chair of SBSTA and the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Secretariat). In addition, the Alliance also organised a side event on the theme 'Indigenous Pe oples Experiences and Concerns on Climate Change'. This event was held on Friday 17, November 2006.
IIFCCC statements
On SBSTA agenda item 3: the five-year programme of work
On SBSTA agenda item 5: deforestation
On SBI agenda item 10: Capacity building
High-level segment
IIFCCC Press conference
