7/28/2019 Press Release COONAPIP April 11 (2)

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Press release:

COONAPIP defends its position on REDD in a series of meetings in Guatemala, in

preparation to the World Conference of Indigenous Issues

April 11 th, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. A high-level delegation, formed by eight

representatives of the seven peoples that are part of the National Coordinator of the

Indigenous Peoples of Panama (COONAPIP), is in Guatemala to particpate in a meeting

with World Bank related with the Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation

and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD).

COONAPIPs delegation also will participate in another meeting, along with other

representatives of indigenous organizations of Latin America, with the objetive of develop

and agree a position related with different topics to be developed in the World Conference

of Indigenous Peoples, el cual to be held in 2014.

Besides these two meetings, COONAPIPs delegation will be received at the Royal

Norwegian Embassy at Guatemala, by the Head of Regional Cooperation of Norway, Mr.

Ole veraas and by Mrs. Mara Bocalleti, Environment Advisor, and Mr. Carlos Chex,

Indigenous and Climate Change Advisor, in order to discuss the development of

cooperation programs that the Norwegian government supports in the region, UN REDD

specifically.

Finally, COONAPIP representatives will have a meeting with officials of the Indian Law

Resource Center (ILRC), in order to coordinate actions in New York, during the course of

the twelfth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (20 -31

May), to be held in New York, home of ILRC. COONAPIP will expose in this forum its

complaint against the UNREDD Panama program.

7/28/2019 Press Release COONAPIP April 11 (2)

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Although COONAPIP has been recognized by the National Environmental Authority of

Panama (ANAM), and the UNREDD-Panama, as a strategic partner for the

implementation of REDD, this organization decided to withdraw the program.

COONAPIP considers that REDD-Panama undermines the rights of the indigenous people

of this country. COONAPIP requested that the program must be closed, and redesigned,

in a more respectful way of the cultural differences, and rights of the indigenous people,

which are directly related to the use and conservation of forests.

COONAPIP is supported by the Mesoamerican Alliance of People and Forests, which is a

regional forum for coordination and exchange for the territorial authorities that are in

charge of manage or influence the major forestes areas of Mesoamerica. The Alliance is

formed by indigenous governments and community forestry organizations of

Mesoamerica, with the aim of influencing the governments of the countries and

international cooperation, in order to implement REDD strategies as a true participatory,

inclusive and respectful process of the rights of the indigenous people and forest

communities.

For more information:

www.alianzamesoamericana.org/

Fabio Vquez, Communications Advisor

com.alianzamesoamericana@gmail.com

Skype: fabioviquezb