Sámi Have Low Expectations For UN Climate Summit
The president of the Sámi parliament in Norway, Egil Olli, does not have any great expectations for the meeting – but he still thinks it is important that Sámi representatives are present.
“Climate changes affect aboriginal peoples the most; that’s why it is important that we’re involved in the process.”
The climate meeting in Copenhagen almost became a fiasco where the participating countries were unsuccessful in uniting on emission goals.
On the other hand, there was unity around committing resources to reducing deforestation as a part of climate work.
Respect for the rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples was referred to in connection with this agreement. Further, it was stated that they should have the opportunity to influence national plans concerning the conservation of forests. “We saw small steps towards improvement and we hope that the interests of aboriginal peoples will be taken care of in continued negotiations as well,” Olli says.
All three Sámi parliaments were represented at the climate meeting in Copenhagen. This time, only the Sámi parliament in Norway is present, with politician Vibeke Larsen and public official Jon Petter Gintal. Lars Anders Baer is representing the Sámi Council at the climate negotiations in Mexico.
