Just Transition = Indigenous Self-Determination 

Indigenous-led Summit Examines Impacts of the Energy Transition and Centers Indigenous
Peoples’ Priorities and Solutions

October 8-10, 2024 Geneva

Governments and companies are increasingly pushing a transition to a low-carbon economy as the primary driver to solve the climate crisis and negative environmental impacts. In their rush for a solution, they often ignore requirements to recognize and integrate Indigenous Peoples' rights as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), including the right to self-determination and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Without securing Indigenous Peoples’ FPIC and without Indigenous Peoples’ participation throughout project development and implementation, transition mineral mining perpetuates the same harms and rights violations as fossil fuel and traditional resource development. 

The goal of JUST TRANSITION: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives, Knowledge and Lived Experiences is to challenge mainstream interpretations and implementations of what the Just Transition to a “Green Economy” is being defined as, which often does not represent a full transition from harmful impacts or real justice for Indigenous Peoples. The summit will affirm a rights-based approach related to any potential extractive projects proposed on Indigenous lands, with criteria and safeguards for projects and actions aligned with the Just Transition. This framework is based on the inherent collective rights articulated in UNDRIP, including the right to self-determination, FPIC, culture, lands, and territories, participation in decision-making, and the Paris Agreement.

Over 100 representatives of Indigenous Peoples from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world will gather to collectively define a Just Transition and the “Green Economy” from Indigenous perspectives. 

Rodion Sulyandziga (Udege), Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee

“The Summit is a pivotal moment for Indigenous Peoples to come together, share their experiences, and chart a path forward to a more equitable and sustainable future. At its core, the summit seeks to address the urgent need for a just transition, one that respects and upholds the rights and values of Indigenous Peoples.”