Paris: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde told world leaders, Indigenous leaders and representatives, and other delegates at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that action on First Nations rights is the most effective way to combat climate change.
“I have been meeting the Canadian delegation, international delegates and Premiers at COP 21 to present a clear message that the rights of Indigenous peoples must be recognized in the final text of the treaty being negotiated here and all follow up actions,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “Our rights must be respected and protected. States must understand that giving life to Indigenous rights is the most effective way to combat climate change. When we have control over what happens in our traditional territories we will make decisions that are responsible and sustainable.”
National Chief Bellegarde was invited to be part of Canada’s official delegation to COP 21 by the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The parties at COP 21 are working on a global instrument to address climate change.