Hindou Omarou Ibrahim, a prominent Indigenous leader from Chad and co-chair of the International Indigenous People Forum on Climate Change, reported on the outcomes of COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference held in Egypt in 2022. While Ibrahim celebrated the unprecedented number of Indigenous participants and the successful inclusion of Indigenous language in key climate documents, she expressed concern over the lack of explicit recognition of Indigenous rights. Although Indigenous knowledge was acknowledged, Ibrahim emphasized that without the protection of their rights, effective implementation of climate solutions would be jeopardized.
Ibrahim highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure Indigenous peoples' rights in international climate agreements. She stressed the need for continued lobbying efforts to ensure these rights are not overlooked in future negotiations. Despite the challenges, Ibrahim remained optimistic, noting that increased Indigenous participation in COP27 demonstrates growing recognition of their crucial role in environmental protection. She urged Indigenous peoples to actively engage in negotiations, holding parties accountable and ensuring their voices are heard in the fight against climate change.