FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COONAPIP defends its position on REDD in a series of meetings in Guatemala, in preparation to the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples
April 11th, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. A high-level delegation, formed by eight representatives of the seven peoples that are part of the National Coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama (COONAPIP), is in Guatemala to participate in a meeting with the World Bank related to the Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD).
COONAPIP’s delegation also will participate in another meeting, along with other representatives of indigenous organizations of Latin America, with the objective of develop and agree a position related with different topics to be developed in the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples, el cual to be held in 2014.
Besides these two meetings, COONAPIP’s delegation will be received at the Royal Norwegian Embassy at Guatemala, by the Head of Regional Cooperation of Norway, Mr. Ole Øveraas and by Mrs. Mara Bocalleti, Environment Advisor, and Mr. Carlos Chex, Indigenous and Climate Change Advisor, in order to discuss the development of cooperation programs that the Norwegian government supports in the region, UN REDD specifically.
Finally, COONAPIP representatives will have a meeting with officials of the Indian Law Resource Center (ILRC), in order to coordinate actions in New York, during the course of the twelfth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (20 -31 May), to be held in New York, home of ILRC. COONAPIP will expose in this forum its complaint against the UNREDD Panama program.
Although COONAPIP has been recognized by the National Environmental Authority of Panama (ANAM), and the UNREDD-Panama, as a strategic partner for the implementation of REDD, this organization decided to withdraw the program.
COONAPIP considers that REDD-Panama undermines the rights of the indigenous people of this country. COONAPIP requested that the program must be closed, and redesigned, in a more respectful way of the cultural differences, and rights of the indigenous people, which are directly related to the use and conservation of forests.
COONAPIP is supported by the Mesoamerican Alliance of People and Forests, which is a regional forum for coordination and exchange for the territorial authorities that are in charge of manage or influence the major forest areas of Mesoamerica. The Alliance is formed by indigenous governments and community forestry organizations of Mesoamerica, with the aim of influencing the governments of the countries and international cooperation, in order to implement REDD strategies as a true participatory, inclusive and respectful process of the rights of the indigenous people and forest communities.
For more information:
www.alianzamesoamericana.org
Fabio Víquez, Communications Advisor
com.alianzamesoamericana@gmail.com
Skype: fabioviquezb
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