The Amazon Alliance participated in several key conferences and meetings this summer to discuss how critical indigenous representation at the international level is in the fight against climate change.

Following the May 2008 Steering Council Meeting, Juan Carlos Jintiach, Executive Co-Director, participated in the UNFCCC COP-9 conference in Bonn, Germany. The COP-9 convened government leaders and representatives from environmental NGOs to address the global degradation of biodiversity. At the COP-9, Jintiach observed how international negotiations are currently held, and the dramatic difference in indigenous participation between the CBD negotiation and the Climate Change negotiation. Jintiach gave presentations to governments and major NGOs about how legitimate, representative indigenous organizations should be included in any decisions affecting their peoples. While at the COP-9, Jintiach also established new partnerships with organizations that are involved in climate change topics.

Trevor Stevenson, Executive Co-Director, traveled in May to present at a USAID meeting on ICAA, USAID’s Amazon program. The meeting was held in Quito, Ecuador and Stevenson spoke on the vital role indigenous peoples play in conserving Amazonia. Stevenson’s participation is part of the Amazon Alliance’s current collaboration with USAID to orient the ICAA program to be more inclusive of indigenous peoples and their representative organizations.