Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge can help us prevent climate changes says Ban Ki-moon

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges governments to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and contributions remain central when ways to fight climate changes are discussed.

Ban Ki-moon receives the Arctic Circle Prize 2016 for his leadership in bringing together the Leaders of the world on a Climate agreement. The prize was announced by Iceland’s former President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson in Reykjavik this weekend.

In his thanks speech, the Secretary General addressed the importance of Indigenous Peoples traditional knowledge in fighting climate change.

“Let us remember those on the frontlines, the many indigenous peoples who have lived here for centuries. They contribute to the Arctic’s diversity and sustainable resource management. Yet, as the developing countries, those who have contributed least to climate change, they are hit first and hardest by serious consequences for their safety, health and human rights,” Ban Ki-moon said to the 2,000 delegates at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

He called on governments to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

“Indigenous Peoples are also affected by national strategies for climate change adaptation especially renewable energy initiatives such as windmill farms and hydropower projects, which often take place in their territories. This has created tension and brought displacement and disposition. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is our instrument for how to recognize, and respect Indigenous Peoples’ full oracles and initiatives.”

Ban Ki-moon said Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge on living in harmony with the nature is a contribution to help achieve the sustainable development goals and prevent climate change.

“We have often seen many specialist, governments and industrial policies in the name of economical development, have been fighting against nature. Indigenous People have centuries of old wisdom of to live harmonious with the nature. We have to learn those wisdoms from them. I urge you to ensure that Indigenous Peoples, their rights and contributions will remain central as we address theses challenges,” the Secretary General said.

Crystal clear message

Øyvind Ravna, Professor at the Faculty of Law with the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø says Ban Ki-moon’s statement sends a strong message to governments in Arctic nations.

“Governments, like in Norway, that have signed the ILO conventions on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights must acknowledge the commitments they have. With Ban Ki-moon’s speech today, the message is crystal clear. Learning from, and dialog with Indigenous Peoples is a part of the solution to climate changes,” Ravna says to the Barents Observer.

The Professor is an expert on Norway’s international legal obligations to the Saami in Finnmark, Norway’s northernmost county.

Shows that the United Nation system works

Gunn-Britt Retter, Head of the Saami Council’s Arctic and Environment Unit, says Ban Ki-moon’s Reykjavik-speech was remarkable.

“I have seldom listened to such a high ranking official spending considerable parts of his speech on Indigenous Peoples issues. He highlighted all our speaking points on climate action,” Retter says.

“This shows that the United Nation system really works. We have a Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to the UN, and listening to Ban Ki-moon today, we clearly see that our views are taken into consideration on the top level,” Gunn-Britt Retter says.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: No simple solution for Ottawa’s carbon pricing scheme in northern Canada, Radio Canada International

Greenland: What the EU seal ban has meant for Inuit communities in the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic

Iceland: Iceland conference draws on hopes, concerns for changing Arctic, Alaska Dispatch

Norway: Stop romanticizing Arctic development say indigenous leaders, Eye on the Arctic

Russia: Russia declares another indigenous group ‘foreign agent’, The Independent Barents Observer

United States: White House – No nation an island on Arctic science, Alaska Public Radio Network