Oslo Tropical Forest Forum lágiduvvo geassemánu 25.- 26. beivviid 2024.  Forum čohkke 400 oasseváldi buot máilmmi guovlluin, oktan álgoálbmotjođiheddjiiguin, birasgáhttenministariiguin sullii 20 riikkas ja Brasila álgoálbmotministara Sonia Guajajara, ja dasto riikkaidgaskasaš organisašuvnnaid jođiheddjiid.

Forum čalmmustahttá earret eará álgoálbmogiid deaŧalaš rolla vuovdehálddašeaddjin, luonddukriminalitehta vuosttaldeami ja dan maid ealáhusat sáhttet bargat vai šattaše luonddu- ja dálkkádatláđđaseappot.

Oslo Tropical Forest Forum addá deaŧalaš cealkámušaid 16. oasálaščoahkkimii biologalaš šláddjivuođa konvenšuvnna vuolde mii dollojuvvo Colombias golggotmánus, ja dálkkádatkonvenšuvnna 29. ja 30. oasálaščoahkkimiidda mat dollojuvvojit Azerbaidsjanas ja Brasilas jagiin 2024 ja 2025. Lágideaddji lea Dálkkádat- ja birasdepartemeanta.

Sámediggepresideantta sárdni

Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Indigenous brothers and sisters!

It is a great honour for me to address this important global conference, and on behalf of the Sámi Parliament, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to minister Bjelland Eriksen and the Tropical Forest Forum’s organizers for the invitation to be here. 

We live in a world with escalating climate change risks. The dramatic warming affects and impacts especially the Indigenous People’s way of life, including our traditional livelihoods and food systems.

“hear, hear boy, girl hear the cry of our ancestors – why do you let the earth become polluted, poisoned, exhausted” was some of the words in the son “Gula gula” that mrs Mari Boine opened the conference with. It was one of my favorite songs growing up, and I strongly recommend reading a translated version of the lyrics.

Safeguarding nature and climate must be in the core of all policy making.  The climate crisis will not be solved if the nature crisis is not also solved. Further degradation of nature must be limited. There is a close connection between the loss of nature and the emission of greenhouse gases. Intact ecosystems are a key here, and of course Indigenous Peoples play a vital role as caretakers of the lands, waters, and territories.

As many of you know, the Sámi are an indigenous people who are living across the borders of Norway, Sweden, Finland and northeastern Russia. The sámi parliaments are the self-government bodies of the Sámi. Due to our representative nature, the sámi parliaments express the official view on the issues concerning the Sámi people. Our traditionally territory is called Sápmi.

I must address the fact that the green shift for us is more like green colonization. Mining, wind power plants, energy politics is all affecting us and our ways of life in a deeply disturbing way. At the same time, we are struggling with the consequences of climate change. Yesterday the directorate announced that they are moving forward with 11 wind power projects in one of the main area for sami reindeer husbandry and sami population. 

The Sámi Parliament in Norway had their first plenary session in Kárášjohka in1989, and when His Majesty The King Harald (V) the Fifth opened a new period of parliamentary time, in 1997, The King said; [and I quote] “The Norwegian state is founded on the territory of two peoples – Norwegians and Sami.”

Although, the capital Oslo is outside Sápmi, we are only 300 kilometres away from the south-sámi territory, that is 3,5 hours by car straight north from here. It is not long from the area where the Fosen case happened – a human rights violation due to the establishment of one of north Europes largest wind power plants in reindeer gazing areas.

We have contact with Norwegian authorities, the main tool is consultations on issues concerning the Sámi people. Consultations is an important part of the Sámi act.

It is crucial to remember that 159 states has endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that the content of the declaration recognize and constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.

It doesn’t matter if you are in Scandinavia or in Latin-America, Asia or other places where Indigenous Peoples comes from. It is a legal fact that states shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.

Participaction in decision-making processes, consultations and the exercising of self-determination are key worlds for Indigenous Peoples. This is also the case when it comes to establish funding, programs, etc. that aims to supporting efforts to slow down and reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from deforestation and forest degradation. Indigenous Peoples must be a part of the solution. The way forward is to continue to increase the direct support to indigenous organizations and commit strategy to develop and implement regional financing governance mechanisms managed by and for Indigenous Peoples. There is no climate justice for Indigenous Peoples without adequate finance and rights-based funding rules and procedures.

As the original and distinct peoples and nations of our territories, we abide by natural laws and have our own laws, spirituality and world views. We have our own governance structures, knowledge systems, values and the love, respect and lifeways, which form the basis of our identity as indigenous peoples and our relationship with the natural world.

It is therefore important to ensure the full, equal and effective participation of indigenous peoples in the development of mechanisms to ensure that ecosystem-based sustainable development is equitable, non-discriminatory, participatory, accountable and transparent, with equality, consent and decolonization as important overarching themes that protect, recognize and respect the rights of indigenous peoples and that are in harmony with the sacredness of Mother Earth.

In the view of this, I hope that we all, in this room, and elsewhere, can work together in respecting the rights of indigenous peoples, protecting the environment and highlight the connections between human rights, healthy ecosystems and people. 
And last – I do have hope in my heart that human will is a force that will change the world for both us and future generations.

Thank you for the attention. Ollu giitu!