
AICHR Philippines hosts inaugural workshop on indigenous knowledge and climate change best practices
MANILA, 10 December 2024 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Philippines, in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia), successfully conducted the inaugural AICHR Workshop on Best Practices in Promoting Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge in Responding and Adapting to the Impact of Climate Change on 9-10 December 2024 in Manila, Philippines.
The workshop was attended by over 40 participants, both onsite and online, including Representatives from AICHR, the Australian government and the AHRC, Pacific Island nations, the ASEAN Secretariat, government agencies, international organisations and subsidiary bodies of the United Nations, and civil society organisations.
During the two-day event participants tackled the effects of the global climate emergency on indigenous groups and traditional communities, emphasising how their unique perspectives can contribute to facing this challenge head-on. The role of UNESCO in addressing such obstacles through ongoing initiatives were discussed by various representatives across government agencies and civil society organisations, in addition to sharing experiences and best practices in the ASEAN region, and beyond, particularly in other climate-vulnerable areas such as the Pacific Island states.
Ongoing regional initiatives on climate change mitigation and adaptation in view of enhancing and supporting the adaptive capacity of indigenous groups and local communities were shared by participants, including the initiatives for the ongoing draft ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, and Sustainable Environment.
Various academics and experts presented approaches for promoting indigenous and traditional knowledge as well as empower their involvement in crafting global policies and mechanisms. Acknowledging the significance of this timely initiative by AICHR Philippines, participants expressed great interest in succeeding iterations of the event to further strengthen the collaboration between AICHR, indigenous communities, and relevant stakeholders.