IWGIA at COP30 in Belém, Brazil

Written on 29 October 2025. Posted in News

IWGIA will be in Belém, Brazil for COP30. Our delegation will be watching the negotiations closely and will be part of many side events. Stay tuned to this page as we update the information of where you can find us and our partners discussing the important issues related to Indigenous Peoples and climate.

You can find our delegation at COP during various events and at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. You can also reach out to them at the following emails:

• Kathrin Wessendforf, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Rosario Carmona, Programme Consultant on Climate, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Arnab Dewan, Institutional Partnerships and Engagement Advisor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Press contact: Kathrin Wessendforf, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monday 10 November

Indigenous Peoples' Rights and the Impacts of Mining for the Energy Transition
Time: 12:00 - 12:30
Place: Press Conference 2, Area D
In partnership with: SIRGE Coalition, Cultural Survival, Batani Foundation, Tallgrass Institute and Earthworks

Tuesday 11 November

The Human and Environmental Costs of Extravism and Mining Waste for Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Lands
Time: 12:00 - 13:20
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion
In partnership with: SIRGE Coalition, Cultural Survival, Batani Foundation, Tallgrass Institute and Earthworks

Tuesday 11 November

How Indigenous Communities use Data, Technology, and Human Rights Analysis to advance Indigenous Environmental stewardship and apply the Indigenous Navigator Climate Change Module
Time: 15:20 - 16:35
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. Blue Zone. Zone B. PV-D117
Languages: English with Spanish and French interpretation
In partnership with: AIPP

This session explores how Indigenous communities are advancing climate action and environmental stewardship through innovative uses of technology, data, and storytelling, while reflecting their own governance systems, values, and data sovereignty principles. It will introduce the Indigenous Navigator Climate Change Survey Module, a tool for assessing how national frameworks uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples in climate responses, including state obligations to prevent foreseeable harm in line with international human rights standards.

Participants will learn from practical applications and technical skills, ranging from web scraping for data collection to biodiversity monitoring on Tribal lands, and hear reflections on the impacts of climate change, data gaps, and policy limitations affecting Indigenous communities. Moreover, the session will highlight insights from recent climate surveys in several Asian countries, demonstrating how community-generated data can strengthen rights-based advocacy and sustainable climate solutions.

This event provides a platform for Indigenous Peoples to enhance their climate advocacy strategies, grounded in evidence from community-based monitoring using the Indigenous Navigator Initiative—a framework developed by and for Indigenous communities to monitor the recognition and implementation of their rights.

The session is jointly organized by the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), Tebtebba Foundation, IWGIA, Kapaeeng Foundation, LAHURNIP, UC Berkeley, and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Data Science and the Environment (DSE) Center.

Speakers (more tbc):

• Shohel Chandra Hajang, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
• McKalee Steen
• Magali de Bruyn
• Pallab Chakma, Kapaeeng Foundation
• Manoj Rai, Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)
• Helen Magata, Tebtebba Foundation
• Kittisak Rattanakrajangsri, Asia representative, FWG, UNFCCC

Tuesday 11 November

From Panama to Belem: Strengthening Coordination Across the Rio Convention Through Indigenous-led Frameworks
Time: 17:55 - 18:55
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, Blue Zone
In partnership with: IIPFC, Nia Tero and FSC Indigenous Foundation

Presentation of the outcomes from the High-Level Indigenous Roundtable: Toward Integrated Governance of Multilateral Environmental Frameworks in Indigenous Peoples’ Territories held in Panamá during the First Session of the SB8j. Dialogue with the participants: Exploring the importance, opportunities, challenges, and aspirations of inter-convention coordination efforts in Indigenous Peoples’ territories and in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

1. What do we hope to see in the coming months leading up to the three Conferences of the Parties next year?
2. What is meant by greater synergies?
3. Reporting and monitoring framework: Can it be simplified to cover the three conventions?
4. Governance: At the global level, What will this look like?
5. Funding: Does it mean one funding for projects that cover all three? Does this mean articulation with Indigenous Peoples?

Speakers (more tbc):

• Daria Egereva, Co-Chair, International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC)
• Minnie Degawan. Managing Director, FSC Indigenous Foundation

Wednesday 12 November

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Territories, and Resources in Transition: The Bangladesh Perspective
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. Blue Zone
In partnership with: BIPF, Kapaeeng Foundation, BIYF, AIYP and IPNEWS DB

Bangladesh is home to more than 50 Indigenous communities, each maintaining deep spiritual, cultural, and ecological ties to their ancestral lands and natural resources. However, rapid climate change, deforestation, displacement, and development projects have increasingly threatened these connections. As Indigenous Peoples face shrinking access to land and diminishing resource sovereignty, their traditional ecological knowledge and practices become ever more vital for sustainable climate solutions. This session explores the transition of Indigenous rights and governance systems over land and natural resources within the context of Bangladesh’s changing political, social, and environmental landscape. To examine the current status and challenges of Indigenous land and resource rights in Bangladesh. To highlight Indigenous perspectives on stewardship, conservation, and adaptation in the face of climate change. To amplify Indigenous voices and creative expressions through storytelling, visual art, and performance. To propose pathways for inclusive climate action and policy reform grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems

Speakers (more tbc):

• Pallab Chakma, Co-Chair, International Land Coalition (ILC) and Indigenous Rights Activist
• Pavel Partha, Researcher and Expert on Climate Change and Environmental Justice Issues
• Shohel Chandra Hajong, Expert on Human Rights, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
• Toni Chiran, Indigenous Rights Activist, Deputy Chairperson, Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP)
• Satej Chakma, Communication Expert on Climate Change and Justice Issues, Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum (BIYF), Asia Indigenous Youth Platform) (AIYP), IPNEWS BD
• Kathrin Wessendorf, Executive Director, IWGIA

Wednesday 12 November

Indigenous Peoples and NDCs 3.0: Rights, recognition, and the way forward
Time: 11:30 - 13:00
Place: Side Event Room 3, Zone C, Blue Zone
Languages: English with Spanish, Portuguese and French interpretation
In partnership with: AIPP, NEFIN, CSIPN, AFPAT, ONAMIAP and PINGO's Forum

46% of third cycle NDCs recognise Indigenous Peoples, albeit to radically different degrees. This event will launch up-to-date global mapping of NDCs 3.0, highlighting progress, gaps and challenges in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights, and how Indigenous worldviews can shape climate action.

Speakers: This multilingual event, moderated by Indigenous scholar Graeme Reed, will host a dialogue between Indigenous representatives, and the UN and state party representatives. Simultaneous interpretation provided in EN/PT/SP/FR

Thursday 13 November

From Extraction to Regeneration: Indigenous Peoples and the Impacts of Mining for the Energy Transition
Time: 14:25 - 15:25
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. Blue Zone. Zone B. PV-D117
Languages: English with Spanish and Portuguese interpretation
In partnership with: SIRGE Coalition, Cultural Survival, Batani Foundation, Tallgrass Institute and Earthworks

Over the last years, there have been a myriad of developments throughout the transition minerals supply chains impacting Indigenous Peoples' rights and livelihoods. Mining companies keep pushing harmful narratives that look to position mining for minerals like lithium, copper, cobalt and nickel as an essential part of the energy transition. Reignited geopolitical tensions, as a result of efforts to control transition minerals supply chains, are putting Indigenous communities at risk. Several mining standard-setting platforms are emerging, but not all of them offer full and equitable participation, access to information for Indigenous communities, as well as true implementation of Indigenous Peoples' rights, including the rights to FPIC. At the same time, we are watching the emergence of new digital technologies that are hungry for minerals and will exacerbate existing problems for Indigenous communities. At this session, we will delve into these pressing issues and explore the latest developments in transition mineral extraction, particularly its intersections with Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We will discuss actionable strategies for defending and upholding Indigenous Peoples’ rights throughout the energy transition and foster capacity-exchange and solidarity among affected communities, ensuring their voices are at the forefront of shaping a just energy transition.

Speakers (more tbc):

• Bryan Bixcul (Maya-Tz’utujil); Coordinator, SIRGE Coalition
• Jan Morrill, Earthworks

Friday 14 November

Indigenous-led guidance for the engagement of Indigenous Knowledges in climate policy and science
Time: 17:00 - 18:05
Place: Indigenous Peoples Pavilion. Blue Zone. Zone B. PV-D117
Languages: English with Spanish interpretation
In partnership with: Assembly of First Nations, Knowledge Justice Collective and United Nations Foundation

Despite growing recognition in global policy and scientific processes, the ethical engagement of Indigenous Knowledge in climate science and policy remains largely aspirational, lacking the structural changes needed for effective climate action. This event launches an Indigenous-led Policy Guide with a Decolonial Institutional Assessment Tool for the ethical engagement of Indigenous Knowledge Systems within the UNFCCC. Co-produced with Indigenous Knowledge holders and representatives from the seven UN socio-cultural regions, it provides practical ethical principles, targeted recommendations, and diagnostic tools to strengthen global climate governance bodies' capacity for respectful and equitable engagement. The event will highlight how Indigenous self-determination and leadership are essential for just, effective climate action and planetary health. By centering Indigenous visions, rights, and governance systems, the Policy Guide responds to the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change calls to position Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders in global climate solutions. It also aims to support the development of the Ethics Protocol under the LCIPP Baku Workplan. Speakers—including Indigenous leaders, policy experts, and IPCC authors—will discuss persistent structural barriers and present how the Policy Guide aims to transform these into collaboration pathways. The session concludes with formal recommendations to the UNFCCC, offering concrete steps to centre Indigenous Knowledges in climate governance.

Speakers (more tbc):

• Dr Graeme Reed, Strategic Advisor, Assembly of First Nations (AFN), former IIPFCC Co-Chair
• Dr Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, University of British Columbia, IPCC Scientific Steering Committee to the workshop on Engaging Diverse Knowledge Systems
• Dr Ritodhi Chakraborty, Environmental & Social Justice Educator and Analyst, Tohu Indigenous Analytics
• Tashi Lhamu Sherpa, Vice-Chair, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality (Sherpa community leader)

10-15 November

IWGIA Exhibition
Exhibit Booth, Zone C, Blue Zone
In partnership with: NEFIN and AFPAT

We will present an informative exhibit highlighting the role of Indigenous Peoples in climate action, collective rights, and just transition, featuring stories, strategies, and key publications on NDCs, climate justice, knowledge co-production, and Indigenous participation in the UNFCCC.

Monday 17 November

Indigenous Peoples and the JTWP: Addressing the Impacts of Mining for the Energy Transition
Time: 11:30 - 12:30
Place: Just Transition Pavilion
In partnership with: SIRGE Coalition, Cultural Survival, Batani Foundation, Tallgrass Institute and Earthworks

Monday 17 November

The Human and Environmental Costs of Mining Waste for Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Lands
Time: 13:00 - 14:30
Place: Just Transition Pavilion
In partnership with: SIRGE Coalition, Cultural Survival, Batani Foundation, Tallgrass Institute and Earthworks

 We have numerous publications and resources related to Indigenous Peoples and climate action. Find some key resources here:

Read more about our work on Climate here

Photo of Peru by Pablo Lasansky

Tags: Climate