Nairobi, Kenya


Regional indigenous peoples' networks have supported IPACC to take over the coordination of the United Nations Environmental Programme's (UNEP) Major Group coordination.

IPACC nominated Mlle Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a Bororo activist from Chad and member of IPACC's Executive Committee. Ibrahim has concentrated on environmental issues of pastoralism, climate change and traditional knowledge of adapatation.

Ibrahim takes over from Yana Dordina from the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON). RAIPON was responsible for the last four years of coordination. IPACC has expressed a commitment to improving information sharing, democratic decision-making and inclusivity. UNEP needs a more coordinated and accountable presence of indigenous leaders concerned with both human rights and sustainable use of natural resources.

Priority areas will include promoting recognition of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, revitalising the National Adaptation Programmes of Action, and more regional policy engagement.

At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), UN member states recognised six Major Groups of civil society that should be consulted in work on environment. One of these is reserved for indigenous peoples. Major Group status encourages the UN to consult with civil society and faciliate access to key UN meetings, particuraly in relation to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.