BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Climate change has impacted the economic resilience of peoples in the Eastern Caribbean, indigenous rights activist Whitney Melinard from Dominica said at a panel session themed "Unity in Action: Intergenerational Voices for Just and Sustainable Islands in the Caribbean" taking place within COP29 in Baku today, Trend reports.
"We are the last remaining indigenous peoples in the Eastern Caribbean basin. And, honestly, I believe that we embody resilience and creativity in dealing with the complex issues related to climate change. However, it is always sad to think that we continue to face the loss of our resources and knowledge, our traditions, such as basket weaving and boat making, especially due to storms associated with climate change," she also said.
Melinard noted that these losses have not only affected communities in terms of traditions but also their economic resilience, as women in the community rely on traditional crafts like basket weaving for their livelihoods.
"We are also facing an increase in flooding and soil erosion, and more broadly, displacement of people due to these issues. But to delve into the issue of unified action, I think it's important to recognize that traditional knowledge combined with the energy of youth can create a truly strong and powerful synergy," she added.
The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference has kicked off today at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year.
The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The “COP” (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the convention’s implementation.
A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn.
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