According to data and statistics from the COP28 conference, indigenous peoples make up less than 5% of the world’s population, but they protect 80% of global biodiversity.

Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajara, emphasized the importance of the role of indigenous peoples in combating climate change while participating in the global conference that ends tomorrow at Expo City in Dubai: “We saw a big event. In a positive step globally with the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement concluded in 2015, the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities has been recognized as reliable scientific evidence.

The Brazilian minister continued, “This recognition is a tribute to the way of life of indigenous peoples, which is based on living in complete respect and harmony with nature, including the preservation of water, trees, animals and the richness of the land. , our indigenous culture is naturally connected to everything that exists in nature.”

Kwajajara emphasized her commitment to spreading awareness about the importance of indigenous peoples, the “National Coalition of Indigenous Ancestral Warriors” established in the past three years, which includes indigenous women and is the largest group of indigenous women participating in history. Conferences of Parties.

Studies indicate that rates of deforestation in tribal-controlled lands are two to three times lower than in other protected areas.

The lands of indigenous peoples and local communities account for at least 24% of the total carbon stored above ground in tropical forests worldwide, playing an important role in providing suitable conditions to meet climate challenges.

To achieve this, the COP28 leadership took the initiative to establish a dialogue with indigenous peoples as part of the solution to the climate crisis.

• Indigenous peoples represent 5% of the world’s population, but they protect 80% of biodiversity.