FCI launches its call for action to protect forests!
News
On this International day of Forests, the Forests and Communities Initiative (FCI) issues a call for action for the preservation of forests and the respect of Indigenous Peoples' rights.
This call follows the first international conference organized by the Initiative in Monaco, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, from November 21 to 23, 2023. Under the theme "Inclusive Conservation: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities At The Forefront Of Forest Protection", this conference brought together, alongside the Sovereign, over a hundred participants: experts, scientists, representatives of Indigenous peoples and local communities, including the five Indigenous leaders from the series "Our Forest" - Tumursukh Jal, Mundiya Kepanga, Twyla Edgi Masuzumi, Hilarion Kassa Moussavou alias "Mambogo", and Benki Piyäko - as well as photographer Sebastiao Salgado, activists Nemonte Nenquimo Waorani and Txai Surui, and renowned professors such as Carlos Nobre and Tasso Azevedo.
All signatories of the call, they commit to forest preservation based on the recognition of Indigenous knowledge, the promotion of rights and gender equality, as well as the alignment of national environmental laws and rethought financing and governance rules in this field. Building upon the conclusions of the conference, the Call for Action highlights the main challenges and proposes 19 concrete recommendations to overcome them.
Among these recommendations: the need to strengthen the protection of Indigenous territories, promote the participation of local communities in decision-making, and invest in conservation initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples. These measures aim to ensure the preservation of forest ecosystems while respecting the rights and traditions of local populations.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco emphasized the importance of this call for action by stating: "It is essential that we unite our forces to protect our forests and support Indigenous communities who have been their guardians for generations."
The Indigenous leaders present also expressed their commitment to forest protection and their communities, emphasizing that "forest conservation is essential for the survival of our peoples and our planet."
The Forests and Communities Initiative calls on all stakeholders to join this global effort for the preservation of forests and the communities that depend on them.