NIWF and NEFIN organized a half-day sharing program to disseminate the key outcomes of the recent CBD COP16 and UNFCCC COP29
2024-11-29
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On 29 November 2024, National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) and the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) jointly organized a half-day sharing program to disseminate and discuss the outcomes of the recent Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16 and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP29. The event highlighted the implications of these landmark conferences for Indigenous Peoples, Women, Youth, and Girls in Nepal. It was facilitated by NIWF's Executive Director, Ms. Dwarika Thebe, who opened the program by underlining the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into global and national environmental policies and commitments.

The program brought together an esteemed panel of experts, practitioners, and government representatives. Mr. Kamal Kumar Rai, Technical Representative for Indigenous Peoples at the Nepal Indigenous Forum for Biodiversity, provided a detailed reflection on COP16, focusing on the progress made in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ contributions to biodiversity conservation. Similarly, Mr. Tunga Badra Rai, Climate Change Expert and Executive Director of NEFIN, shared insights from COP29, highlighting the conference's focus on global climate financing, adaptation, and mitigation. However, he expressed concerns that the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples—such as their disproportionate vulnerability to climate change impacts and their role as stewards of vital ecosystems—were insufficiently addressed in the final agreements.


Mr. Rajendra Dhungana, Under Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Environment, and head of the Biodiversity Division, provided a critical analysis of recent conference outcomes and emphasized the urgent necessity for enhanced collaboration between government entities and Indigenous Peoples Organizations and experts in addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Mr. Bijendra Basnyat, UNDP's BIOFIN Representative, emphasized the critical role of negotiation and mediation between Indigenous Peoples and the government in securing biodiversity financing for sustainable development. Additionally, Mr. Sonam Sherpa, President of Sherpa Samaj, provided reflections on the significance of these global processes for Indigenous communities in Nepal. Mr. Diwas Rai, Indigenous Representative on the NBSAP Revision Steering Committee, concluded the event by stressing the vital importance of disseminating outcomes at the community level through such sharing programs.
The event provided a critical analysis of COP16 and COP29 outcomes from the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth. It highlighted both achievements and shortcomings, emphasizing the need for strategic action to ensure effective implementation of positive outcomes and address remaining challenges.