Lima, January 25 - 26, 2010

Lima Declaration

For the Life of the Mother Nature and Humankind

The participants at the Latin American Summit II on Climate Change and its Impact on Indigenous Peoples: Post Copenhagen, gathered in Lima, Peru on January 25 and 26, 2010, having engaged in efforts to analyze the results of the Copenhagen meeting and our participation:

Recognizing that we, the Indigenous Peoples have an inherent right to sovereignty, self-determination, and autonomy, with full decision-making capacity in determining economic, social, cultural, and environmental policies that ensure our welfare as peoples and recognize our individual and collective rights to lands and territories, natural resources, biodiversity and intellectual property;

Recognizing that indigenous women and men are participating as protagonists in the work for full recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that we have traditionally assumed a role in the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of our peoples and in food production in our communities;

Considering that we, the Indigenous Peoples, continue to be affected by the impacts of climate change, in particular global warming, which adversely and unequally affect our territories, disrupting ways of life, health, culture, the economy, water resources, and natural resources in general, above all the life of peoples;

Affirming that the impact of climate change includes the food security crisis, disease, loss of traditional knowledge and practices, the undermining of our own organizational and government structures, thereby upsetting the balance of ecological, socio-economic and spiritual relationships;

Reaffirming the agreements entered into by the State parties and other relevant stakeholders in establishing the current normative legal framework on rights, which include resolutions, specific recommendations, and declarations that guarantee respect for the rights of our peoples;

Concerned that despite the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, set forth in their preamble paragraphs regarding the need for civil society to play an active role, nonetheless the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples has not been considered in discussions, planning, and implementation of actions to allow us to strengthen our own systems and ancestral strategies;

Affirming that our territory is the spiritual base of our identity and philosophy, where our law of origin and autonomy are rooted, where we exercise our government and laws and develop our world view, and that nonetheless the continuous adverse effects of climate change interrupt the due intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge and the enjoyment of sovereignty as a fundamental human right;

Recognizing that current national and international regulatory frameworks are not based on the cultural reference points of Indigenous Peoples and hence reflect inadequate, inefficient strategies for coping with the consequences of climate change.

A need therefore exists to take a look at this process from the viewpoint of ancestral wisdom in order to identify strategies, lessons, and ways of coping with the current crisis at all levels;

Bearing in mind the experience of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the multiple lessons learned on the impacts of climate change; having analyzed and discussed the impacts and consequences of programs and offers for climate change mitigation and adaptation, from the viewpoint of women and men of the Indigenous Peoples and new generations, whose lives have been rooted in the ecosystems of Mother Earth for thousands of years, we now present the following declaration and Plan of Action:

PLAN OF ACTION

To seek effective consensus, strategies and solutions based on the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to build a unified proposal in response to Climate Change.

General Actions:

1. To continue efforts for building and consolidating the Regional Indigenous Latin American Forum on Climate Change as a participatory mechanism, open to representatives of Indigenous Peoples, that generates dialogue, discussion, and analysis in order to achieve full and effective participation in regulatory and operational mechanisms, respecting the principle of free, prior and informed consent, as well as the effective participation of all stakeholders: women, men, children, and youth in that process.

2. To create alliances with the various sectors of civil society involved in the struggle to root out the origins and overcome the effects of Climate Change, as well as alliances with the governments of the region in search of effective consensus, strategies and solutions based on the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to build a unified proposal in response to Climate Change, taking our proposals into account as an added value to the arguments presented at international forums on climate change.

3. To have the Regional Indigenous Latin American Forum on Climate Change serve as a source of information on processes of regional relevance, establishing the necessary mechanisms to effectively disseminate such information at a continental level. This forum will be structured as an avenue for ongoing discussion among indigenous representatives; its members will include the participants in the Latin American Summits, as well as other organizations who may join.

Strategies and Solutions based on the Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples:

1. We propose that the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Member States (GRULAC) create specific mechanisms of participation for Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes over issues related to Climate Change, including:

- The establishment of a regional roundtable that serves as an avenue for discussion among Indigenous Peoples, who in turn shall assume a commitment to broadly disseminate the information obtained.

- The National Commissions on Climate Change would design, plan, schedule, and monitor effective policies at a national level in the operating and regulatory realms, maintaining an open line of communication with institutions of the State, as applicable. These entities’ responsibilities would include a sound analysis of environmental protection instruments at a national level for the defense of natural resources.

- The establishment of effective mechanisms for official participation by indigenous representatives in the Conference of the Parties as members of official government delegations, if the Indigenous Peoples themselves so decide.

- Creation of a Group of Experts on Climate Change comprised by the representatives of Indigenous Peoples, entrusted with analyzing impacts on Indigenous Peoples and with monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

2. We insist that the States promptly apply legal harmonization measures, thereby turning the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into a catalyzing instrument, implemented across the board in operating and political realms by the standard players, while following up on such specific recommendation as results from the meeting of Indigenous Experts on Article 42 convoked by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Experiences of Indigenous Peoples regarding the Impact of Climate Change:

1. We urge the agencies of the United Nations system, national governments, and the international cooperation community, including international organizations and social movements to recognize the environmental plans proposed by Indigenous Peoples including our right to lands, territories, and all the resources therein in keeping with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

2. We propose that alternatives be created, promoting the administration, use, management, and conservation of natural resources within a framework of respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and that such rights serve as the foundation for creating community economic models based on traditional knowledge, from and with an indigenous viewpoint, thus eliminating paternalistic practices.

3. We call for creating actions of solidarity within the framework of Indigenous Peoples’ mobilizations against extractive industries at a national and international level, considering the harmful effect that such industries have played on the welfare of the community and in particular on the health of women, children and our elders.

Support for Indigenous Peoples’ Plans and Programs related to Climate Change:

1. We urge the States to promote education, training, and capacity building for children, adolescents, and youth, in order to build greater knowledge about and recognition of the harmful impact of climate change on everyday life, and in order to broaden the Indigenous Peoples’ environmental rights movement, thus guaranteeing greater access to information on decision-making processes related to aspects that affect their lives.

2. We demand that multi-national companies, agencies of the United Nations System and/or relevant players stop the use of genetically modified seeds that pose a threat to the food security of Indigenous Peoples and hence to living a healthy life. We likewise demand the institution of programs that promote food sovereignty, in order to achieve sustainable agriculture and so contribute to attaining the Millennium Development Goals, with special attention to issues involving the reduction of poverty, hunger, and infant and maternal mortality.

3. We call upon the international cooperation community, including bilateral and multilateral entities and others, to respect and promote flexible models in their internal policies, so as to provide direct access to these programs and promote an environment conducive to greater transfer of technology and of knowledge, promoting full participation of Indigenous Peoples.

Lima, January 26, 2010

Signers:

Argentina

- Elizabet González – National Council of Indigenous Women, CONAMI

- Jorge Nahuel –Mapuce Confederation of Neuquen

- Mariana López –International Forum of Indigenous Women, FIMI

Bolivia

- Juvencia Huarachi - National Confederation of Indigenous Peasant Women Native to Bolivia, CNAMIB

- Judyth Rivero - National Confederation of Indigenous Women of Bolivia, CNAMIB

Chile

- Cecilia Flores - National Aymara Council of Malkus, T´allas

- Hortencia Hidalgo - Autonomous Aymara Council

Colombia

- Henry Cabria - Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, OPIAC

Costa Rica

- Donald Rojas - Indigenous Council of Central America, CICA

- Carlos Brenes – CICA – RUTA

Ecuador

- Pedro Enqueri - Waorani Nationality of Ecuador

- Juan Carlos Jintiach – Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin, COICA

United States

- Mónica Aleman - International Forum of Indigenous Women, FIMI

- Natalia Caruso – International Form of Indigenous Women, FIMI

- Andrea Carmen – International Indian Treaty Council, CITI

Guatemala

- Ramiro Batzin - Indigenous Council of Central America, CICA

- Francisco Cali – CERD – International Indian Treaty Council

Mexico

- Delia Ramírez –National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Women, CONAMI

- Saúl Vicente – UFIC – International Indian Treaty Council

- Berenice Sánchez –Red Indígena de Turismo de México A.C. [Indigenous Tourism Network of Mexico], RITA

- Cecilio Solis - Red Indígena de Turismo de México A.C., RITA and CIMA

Nicaragua

- Mirna Cunnigham –Indigenous Professor, UII

Panama

- Florina López –Indigenous Women and Biodiversity Network

- Estebancio Castro – International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests

- Randy González – Red JOVEN [Youth Network]

- Onel Masardule – Foundation for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge, FPCI

Peru

- Tarcila Rivera Zea – Coordinator of the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the South American Region

- Franklin Gutiérrez –Ñoqanchiq Youth Network

- Tania Pariona - Ñoqanchiq Youth Network

- Yene Belled – Network of Quechua Communicators of Ayacucho

- Guillermo Allca – Network of Quechua Communicators of Ayacucho

- Alfredo Ñaupas – Federation of Peasant and Indigenous Communities of Vilcashuamán

- Beatriz Caritimari – FEDEMUSHAAL

- Percy Amaro – Federation of Native Communities of the Central Rainforest, CECONSEC

- Josue Fernández –Regional Amazonian Organization of Ucayali

- Juan Tapayuri – CORPI San Lorenzo

- Verónica Vilca – ADEMUCP

- Melania Canales – FEMU Lucanas

- Nibia Cutipa – Sumaq T´Ikariq Federation of Women of the High Andes of the Province of Lampa

- Bilda Tovar –National Organization of Indigenous Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru, ONAMIAAP

- Olinda Cruz Rivera - National Organization of Indigenous Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru, ONAMIAAP

- Dalila Morales Quintana - National Organization of Indigenous Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru, ONAMIAAP

-Angela Chislla - National Organization of Indigenous Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru, ONAMIAAP

- Gladis Vila - National Organization of Indigenous Andean and Amazonian Women of Peru, ONAMIAAP

- Cecilio Soria – Association of Indigenous Communicators of the Ucayali Region, ACIRU

- Demer González – Organization of Indigenous Youth of the Ucayali Region, OJIRU

- Yodita Lujan Mendoza – Barrio Huancapuquio, Province of Vilcashuamán, Ayacucho

- Rayda Silvestrina Buitron – Santa Rosa de Huancapuquio, Province of Vilcashuamán, Ayacucho

- Escipión Palomino – Councilman of the Minor Council of San Francisco de Pujas, Vilcashuamán Ayacucho

- Kariel Vilcapoma – Community of Estanciapata, Province of Vilcashuamán Ayacucho

- Lucas Tenorio – Community of San Juan de Chito, Vilcashuamán Ayacucho

- Raúl Hinostroza - Program for Safe Food and Food Security CHIRAPAQ

- Clelia Rivero – FEDECMA

- Samuel Acero Hurted – FARTAC

- Israel Tenteis – FERIAAM

- Ramos Chuintam Chimpa – ODECONAC

- Trifina Kantuash – ODECONAC

- Rubén Pijuch anton – ODECONAC

- Edilberto Kinin – ORPIAN – P

- Arlen Ribeira - ORPIO

Venezuela

- Librada Pocaterra - Network of Wayuu Indigenous Women

- Nicolás Betis - Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon, ORPIA

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