The delegation from Roraima contributed to the dialogues on climate change and territorial rights.
The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) began this Monday, November 9, in Antalya, Turkey, with the expressive participation of indigenous peoples from different territories of Brazil.
On the first day of the program, the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) followed the discussions on the participation of indigenous peoples in the climate agenda, the defense of territories and the strengthening of articulations between indigenous representatives from different parts of the world.
One of the highlights was the participation of indigenous women Pataxibas firefighters in discussions on preventing and coping with the impacts of climate change. At the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, Ana Paula Levi, from the Wapichana people, coordinator of the CIR's Community Indigenous Brigade, participated in the panel "The systems behind the solutions: indigenous peoples' responses to climate-related environmental disasters".
The activity addressed the responses built by indigenous peoples in the face of climate-related environmental disasters, highlighting the experiences and initiatives developed in the territories. The presence of indigenous firefighters in these spaces also contributes to presenting the work carried out by communities in territorial protection and in facing emergency situations.
The General Tuxaua of the Indigenous Women's Movement of Roraima, Kelliane Wapichana, who is part of the Executive Coordination of the CIR, highlighted the importance of the presence of indigenous women and the representations of the territories in these international spaces.
"We are here in Turkey, in Antalya, also making this participation as part of the Executive Coordination of the CIR. We are with the state of Roraima, with the indigenous communities and also with the regions, bringing some women who are firefighters, lawyers and administrators, who came to accompany us at this event", said Kelliane Wapichana.
Kelliane also stressed the importance of taking the demands of indigenous women and amplifying their voices in spaces for international discussion.
"We are bringing our voice as women, representing our voices and also our demands. Today is the first day and we are here at the Indigenous Pavilion, which is very important. We opened together with other indigenous peoples from other states, also showing the diversity that exists in the country. We are here to echo our voice, which is very important in these spaces", she highlighted.
Among the priority agendas was the Indigenous Caucus meeting, held in Side Event Room 4, in the Blue Zone of COP31, with the presence of co-chairs and representatives of indigenous peoples from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world. The meeting enabled dialogue and the alignment of common agendas to strengthen indigenous participation in climate discussions.
The program also included activities at the Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, as well as meetings with organizations and partners that support the struggle of indigenous peoples in the defense of territories and collective rights.
The participation of the CIR on the first day of COP31 reaffirms the importance of the indigenous presence in international climate debates, taking the demands of the communities of Roraima and strengthening dialogue with other peoples, organizations and partners.
The CIR delegation is composed of Amarildo Makuxi, General Tuxaua; Kelliane Wapichana, General Tuxaua of the Indigenous Women's Movement of Roraima; Sineia do Vale, co-chair of the Indigenous Caucus and coordinator of the Department of Territorial and Environmental Management and Climate Change (DGTAMC); Charlene Almeida, coordinator of the Administrative and Financial Department (DAF); Dr. Fernanda Félix Wapichana, legal advisor of the CIR; Jonatas Firmino, supervisor of the Indigenous Community Brigade; Ana Paula Levi, coordinator of the indigenous brigades of the CIR; the indigenous women Pataxibas brigades; and Maciel Makuxi, photojournalist responsible for covering the delegation's participation in the conference.