Latest update May 20th, 2026 12:35 AM
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APA attends first COP as observer to the Climate Convention
(Kaieteur News) – The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) will be participating in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belem, Brazil, for the first time as an observer to the Convention.
As one of the few accredited Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations (IPOs) from the Caribbean and South American region, the APA delegation will be led by President Mario Hastings, with representatives from three District Councils included in its delegation.
The APA delegation also includes Vice-President Lemmel Thomas and Women’s Representative and Toshao of Kamarang Village, Alma Marshall. APA is also supporting the participation of District Councils at COP30.
APA Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Nicholas Peters, Programme Manager, Faye Stewart, Mapping and Monitoring Coordinator, Linburg Pearson, Policy Officers, Sheldon Peters and Felecia Valenzuela, and Communications and Visibility Officer, Lakhram Bhagirat, also comprise the team to provide technical support to the leaders as they represent the voices and interests of their peoples on the global stage.
In a press release, the APA said as an organisation committed to promoting the social, economic, political, and cultural development of Indigenous communities and defending their rights, its participation at COP30 forms part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that the Indigenous perspectives and experiences are meaningfully included in global climate action and policy discussions.
At COP30, the APA will highlight the struggles and resilience of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana, including issues related to land rights, climate impacts, environmental degradation, and threats to traditional livelihoods. The Association will also emphasise the critical role that Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and community-led initiatives play in addressing the climate crisis and protecting the world’s remaining forests and biodiversity.
Through its presence at COP30, the APA seeks to strengthen alliances with Indigenous, civil society organisations and State representatives; advocate for stronger recognition and inclusion of Indigenous rights within the climate framework; and call on governments and international partners to support policies that uphold the dignity, autonomy, knowledge systems and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. The APA reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the voices of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples are heard, respected and included in all spaces where decisions are made about the planet’s future and their territories.
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