197 States Acknowledge the Important Role of Indigenous Peoples in Climate Change Action

PostNewsTime l Jakarta.- Ministry of Environment and Forests (Kementrian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan – KLHK), Sunday, May 13, 2018.

With the end of the Bonn Climate Change Conference (BCCC) attended by 197 UNFCCC member countries, Indonesia again reiterated the importance of establishing a Facilitating Working Group for the operationalization “platform” of the Local Community and Indigenous People.

This was conveyed by Dr. Nur Masripatin, as chairman of DELRI, in Bonn, (11/05) local time, as one of the conclusions of the Paris Agreement Work Program (PAWP) discussion or Paris Rules Book, to be implemented by all parties and adopted in COP 24 in Katowice.

“Indonesia considers that the objective of the LCIP Facilitation Working Group and Platform, is to increase transparency and participation, thus ensuring “no one left behind”. In this regard, it is very important to include local communities within the Facilitating Working Group and the LCIP Platform,” she said.

The assertion, of course, is in line with the Social Forestry program which is the implementation of Nawacita President Joko Widodo. The role of indigenous peoples can be realized through customary forest schemes, where communities can benefit while keeping the surrounding forests. This is also one form of climate change mitigation action, in addition to efforts to improve the welfare of the people around the forest.

Another important conclusion delivered by Nur Masripatin, is the importance of institutional arrangements for mitigation action in the forestry sector, by developing countries.

“Indonesia looks forward to full implementation of REDD+ with performance-based payments, following the decision of the Warsaw Framework, and other COP decisions on REDD+. We appreciate the efforts of the COP-Presidencies, in making “Voluntary meetings on coordination of support for REDD+ implementation”, and should proceed “, she continued.

Previously, Nur Masripatin also admitted, there are still some other important issues that must be resolved, especially under the agenda of the Paris Rules Book. Thus, Nur Masripatin hopes, it can be discussed more at the meeting in Bangkok next September.

Completing its conclusions, Indonesia also submitted some written suggestions, decision-making related to the mandate of the Paris Agreement (available on the UNFCCC.int Website). The suggestions are related to Modality, Procedure and Guideline from the implementation of Nationally Determined Contribution, Adaptation Communication, Transparency Framework, Global Stocktake, Facilitation and Compliance, as well as matters relating to the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each country.

On this occasion, Nur Masripatin also hopes that cooperation with other parties can continue to support the progress of the finalization of the Paris Agreement Work Program or the Paris Rules Book.

“A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) meeting is needed among Indonesian negotiators at the BCCC, with Indonesian stakeholders on each issue, and continuing the Talanoa Dialogue meeting, as a means of updating the development of national climate change controls and future strategies” concludes Nur Masripatin.

Furthermore, towards the COP 24 this December in Katowice, Poland, additional negotiations will be held in preparation of draft decisions on the Paris Treaty Implementation Guidelines in Bangkok Thailand, in September.

Writer: Haryo / Usman
Source: PostNewsTime