NDN Collective to Participate in COP28 as an Accredited Organization

The United Nations’ 28th Conference of Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place at Expo City, Dubai beginning Thursday, November 30 through December 12. COP is a series of intensive events and discussions where governments around the world negotiate to determine actionable items on climate change international policy.

This is NDN Collective’s 3rd year participating in COP and the first where NDN Collective was recognized as an accredited organization. Throughout the coming weeks, NDN Collective staff will be focusing on programs with themes on Frontline Communities, Inclusion, Technology and Innovation, and Finance. We plan to use our platform to call-out false solutions to addressing the climate crisis such as carbon markets, nature based solutions, and other various “solutions” that do not include free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from Indigenous People or LANDBACK.

“We are here about a week before COP actually begins to participate in what is known as the Facilitated Working Group Pre-COP Sessions,” said Jade Begay (Diné / Tesuque Pueblo), NDN Collective Director Policy and Advocacy. “These sessions are convening Indigenous Peoples and Representatives from local communities across the world to talk about our work plans from the previous year and for the coming year. It’s a time for us as local communities and Indigenous Peoples to discuss our issue priorities and get on the same page prior to the COP28 beginning.”

NDN Collective for the second year will be sponsoring and uplifting the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion that debuted at last year’s COP. The pavilion offers a critical space for Indigenous communities from across the world to showcase Indigenous-led solutions and strategies for addressing the many impacts of climate change. Additionally, NDN Collective will report back the priorities of the Facilitating Working Group (FWG), the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), and the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC).

NDN Collective’s Interests and Key Issue Areas:

Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake or an evaluation is conducted by countries to determine whether or not their and our collective climate actions have been effective or need to be adjusted in 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This year is the first time ever that the global stocktake will be processed at COP.

Loss and Damages: At the end of last year’s COP27, the Loss and Damages Fund was established. This fund financially supports developing Nations dealing with the negative effects of climate change. Because the fund was created last year, it will be continued to be developed to better serve communities most impacted by climate change.

Climate Finance and Direct Access: This is the call from the Paris Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, and The Convention for countries (Parties) with more financial resources to finance actions that will address climate change. NDN Collective’s presence at COP28 comes soon after the launch of our Indigenous Climate & Just Transition Fund, which aims to raise and distribute $100 million to the Indigenous frontline organizations and communities who have been furthering climate justice and place-based projects for decades with little to no resources. The Indigenous Climate & Just Transition Fund is the largest fund to support Indigenous led climate solutions and will shift the trajectory of climate change with our partners. This fund will radically impact the ability of our communities to get access to the funding available to facilitate the just transition that supports Indigenous knowledge and values.

Phasing Out Fossil Fuels and Addressing False Solutions: Every year at COP, fossil fuel industry leaders present their climate change “solutions” – Net zero, geoengineering, carbon markets/cap and trade, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), REDD/REDD+, nuclear energy, etc. However, these “solutions” are anything but, and contribute greatly to the urgent climate crisis while greenwashing harmful industry practices.

Address Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement also known as Cooperative Approaches allows for a country’s participation in carbon markets such as; greenhouse gas emission trades between Paris Agreement countries (parties) in “efforts” to meet nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Additionally, Article 6 outlines the framework in which the trading of carbon offsets are monitored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“We are here to uplift and support Indigenous Peoples both from the US and globally who are participating in the local communities and Indigenous Peoples platform,” said Jade Begay. “We are here to support specifically the Indigenous Peoples Caucus and the Indigenous People’s Pavilion, which are bodies and venues within the COP to uplift the goals and advocacy issues of Indigenous Peoples to protect our Rights, to protect self-determination of our people, and our traditional ecological knowledge.”

As Indigenous Peoples coming from the so-called United States, we remain committed to the liberation of Palestine and will continue to advocate for the bare minimum of a full truce and ceasefire. It is our collective responsibility to advocate for our relatives across Turtle Island and beyond who do not have the means to access spaces like COP.

“It’s important for Indigenous Peoples to be in this space because if we’re not here, decisions will continue to be made that violate the rights of our peoples and continue to carry out strategies and processes that threaten the lands and territories and resources of our people,” said Janene Yazzie (Diné), NDN Collective Director Southwest Region.

Join NDN Collective On the Ground and LIVE on NDN’s Social Media Platforms:

Wednesday, November 29th

10:00am – 12:00pm GST | Behind the Numbers: Indigenous Data to Fuel Advocacy & Drive Change Moderated by Jade Begay at Expo City (UN WOMEN EVENT)

Friday, December 1st

10:00am – 12:00pm GST | Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion Opening Ceremony, Blue Zone, Zone B7, Building 88.

1:30pm – 2:30pm GST | Panel: Just Transition: Indigenous-led Pathways Toward Equitable Climate Solutions and Resiliency in the Climate Crisis, hosted by Indigenous Climate Action

Monday, December 4th

8:00pm – 10:00pm GST | Reception: Building Indigenous Power & Equitable Financial Mechanisms: An NDN Collective Social at HOPE HOUSE / COP28 – INVITE ONLY

1:00pm – 3:00pm GST | LCIPP 3rd Annual Gathering of Knowledge Holders: Dialogue with Parties and Other Stakeholders

2:30pm – 3:30pm GST | Panel: Investing in Effective Climate Resiliency: Climate Finance for All Peoples and US Center Speakers: Jade Begay, Kim Pate, and Janene Yazzie

Tuesday, December 5th
2:30 pm – 3:30pm GST | NDN Collective Panel at US Center with Kim Pate, Janene Yazzie, and Jade Begay

Wednesday, December 6th

2:40 pm – 3:40 pm GST | Panel: LANDBACK + Climate Adaptation at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. Speakers: Jade Begay, Kim Pate, and Janene Yazzie Blue Zone, Zone B7, Building 88.

To see this schedule and for daily updates on COP28 please follow us on our social media platforms!