Equator Initiative at COP16: Honoring and Celebrating Local Voices on the Global Stage

As the world gathered for the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, to address the mounting challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, the voices of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Afro-descendants and local communities (LCs) have never been more critical. These groups, represented at this event by the 2024 Equator Prize winners, are on the frontlines of climate resilience and local sustainable development. Their work is a testament to the power of nature-based solutions and the undeniable impact of grassroots leadership in addressing some of the planet’s most pressing issues.

Representing the UNDP Equator Initiative, we embarked on a journey to elevate and support these leaders at COP16. Referred to as the “COP of the people” for its inclusive, all-of-society approach, COP16 closely aligns with the core values embodied by the Equator Prize winners. At UNDP, we recognize the importance of amplifying their stories and giving them a global platform where their voices can influence policymakers, inform climate strategies, and inspire collective action. Throughout COP16, these communities showcased how traditional knowledge and local action are driving meaningful change worldwide. In this blog, we share our experience supporting these leaders at COP16, aiming to spotlight their innovative solutions and advocate for greater access to international platforms like this one.

The journey for the Equator Prize winners at COP16 began with an orientation, where our team at the Equator Initiative mapped out key events and offered strategic guidance to help the winners navigate the week. With plans for the roundtable discussions,side events and panels, press conference, and the Nature and Culture Summit celebration, the session emphasized each event’s potential to highlight their nature-based solutions on the international arena. Many winners, anticipating their first engagement with such a large international audience, were prepared to share unique perspectives rooted in years of environmental stewardship. This orientation set a confident and purposeful tone for the week, positioning them not only as advocates but as leaders ready to inspire global action through local solutions.

Following an engaging first day of events and panels at the Blue Zone, our second internal meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the winners to share their initial impressions, experiences, priorities, and concerns. A common theme emerged: the inclusivity that characterized COP, with numerous side events dedicated to highlighting the experiences of IPs and LCs in conservation. This focus aligns seamlessly with UNDP’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in decision-making processes.

A key highlight of the day was the preparation rehearsals for the Equator Prize celebratory event, where the winners would deliver their community statement, crafted months earlier during the 2024 Equator Prize Community Dialogues. Witnessing their collective effort come to life during rehearsals was truly inspiring, marking a significant culmination of all their hard work.

Throughout the week, our Equator Prize winners attended several side events at the Blue Zone. Their engagement offered a unique chance to immerse in discussions, attend panels, and directly connect with global decision-makers and changemakers. This setting allowed them to share insights, underscore their vital roles as biodiversity stewards, and showcase nature-based solutions as effective climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience models. Their participation amplified the importance of IPs and LCs in climate solutions, emphasizing that meaningful change requires their inclusion in policy dialogues.

“This is a great opportunity for a grassroots organization to share local experiences on the global stage. This is also my first time attending a COP, and I realize there is a lot of potential to introduce our work to global communities. Additionally, there is great potential to meet with like-minded people and organizations to scale up our small initiatives through networking and partnerships.” — Maksud Rahman, Sundarbans Eco Village in Bangladesh.

The Equator Prize 2024 press conference was one of the highlights of the week, featuring winners Maggie Bukowa of CredorSave Loans, Camilo Lara of FEMNCAFE, Yuri Caicedo of Reserva Natural La Planada – Resguardo Indígena Awá Pialapí Pueblo Viejo, and Maksud Rahman of Sundarbans Eco Village in Bangladesh, as they shared their communities’ innovative solutions with a global audience. Led by Anna Giulia Medri, Team Lead and Partnerships Advisor at the Equator Initiative, the event connected local leaders with media, policymakers, and attendees, underscoring how community-driven projects contribute to climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Each story highlighted resilience, cultural heritage, and the power of local knowledge, reinforcing storytelling as an essential catalyst for global climate action and a reminder of the need to amplify local voices on the world stage.

After a week filled with intensive rehearsals, panels, and engaging events, the highlight was the much-anticipated in-person celebratory event, “Equator Prize 2024: Celebrating Indigenous and Local Solutions for Nature and Climate.” Held at the Nature and Culture Summit on 26 October, this event transcended mere celebration; it delivered a powerful message about the critical roles that IPs and LCs play as stewards of nature. This moment marked the culmination of months of collaboration with the winners online, creating a palpable sense of unity and commitment in the room.

The evening featured impactful speeches from distinguished leaders, including Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Ida Hellmark, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad); Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Mbororo Indigenous woman, Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), and President of AFPAT; Heike Henn, Director for Climate, Energy and Environment at the German Federal Ministry; Q’apaj Conde Choque, Traditional Knowledge Programme Officer, CBD Secretariat; and Midori Paxton, Director of the UNDP Nature Hub. Their presentations highlighted the importance of inclusiveness and diversity in global climate and environmental agendas, emphasizing the role of IPs and LCs as vital allies in addressing the triple planetary crisis.

A significant moment was the delivery of the winners’ community statement, which served as a unified call to action. Despite language barriers and diverse backgrounds—representing eight countries across four continents—their voices resonated powerfully, urging world leaders and citizens alike to commit to a nature-positive future that benefits both people and the planet. This reinforces the understanding that we are all integral pieces of the puzzle in addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality.

“At COP16, it was inspiring to witness a unified call for local action. True biodiversity conservation begins at the grassroots level. When local communities are empowered to act, they lead the way in preserving the ecosystems that sustain their lives—and ours. It was reassuring to see a platform created for local communities and Indigenous Peoples to do just that.” — Maggie Bukowa, CredorSave Loans.

While the Equator Prize will provide essential support to the winning communities in scaling up their innovative projects, their participation in international events like this is equally significant. It not only showcases their efforts but also highlights the contributions of IPs and LCs as crucial partners in sustainable development. The celebration underscored the idea that we need not reinvent the wheel; sometimes, all it takes is looking back to our roots to identify effective solutions.

The impact of the Equator Initiative and the Equator Prize is made possible through the unwavering support of our esteemed partners and governments, all of whom share a commitment to our mission and to the transformative role of IPs and LCs. This support shines through pivotal events like COP16, where several of our awardees were invited to speak across the Blue and Green Zones, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and share their knowledge at a global level. For instance, Yuri Caicedo presented her experience with scientific tourism at Reserva La Planada, at a session organized by the Humboldt Institute. This opportunity allowed her to expand her network and engage with like-minded communities. Maksud Rahman contributed as a panel discussant at the UN Colombia Pavillion, sharing insights on how ecosystem-based actions in the Sundarbans Eco Village have generated substantial climate adaptation benefits and resilience for local communities in Bangladesh. Additionally, Maggie Bukowa, representing CredorSave Loans, and Rogelio Mejía, representing ASOAHUACO, co-hosted roundtables with the Equator Initiative at Bloom – a conference organized by GreenBiz on accelerating business action at COP16 to protect and regenerate nature – discussing the crucial role of biodiversity in shaping business and finance strategies for nature conservation and regeneration.

As the Equator Prize winners prepared to depart from COP16, one of the most significant moments was a meaningful conversation with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Norad. This meeting facilitated a candid dialogue between the Norwegian government and several award recipients, offering officials a firsthand understanding of how their support has amplified these initiatives and underscoring the value of strong partnerships. It also highlighted that while the recipients’ impact is often local, it has the potential to resonate on a global scale, with support from organizations like Norad making a tangible difference in the lives of communities on the ground.

“This reignites my inspiration and reminds me why I do this work. It’s easy to lose sight of the purpose amidst daily tasks, but meeting the Prize winners brings it all back into focus. For Norad and Norway, this is exactly why we support them—they are the ones showing the way forward. They understand what’s needed and already have the solutions. Our role is to listen, scale their efforts, and provide the support they need to make an even greater impact.” —  Ida Hellmark, Senior Adviser, Norad.

Way forward: Building a future where local voices lead global action

Our experience at COP16 reaffirmed what we already knew: the necessity of bringing the voices of the people to the environment agenda. UNDP is doing just that, supporting IPs and LCs in accessing global platforms where their perspectives can lead discussions on climate and biodiversity solutions. The 2024 Equator Prize winners exemplify how local action, informed by generations of knowledge, can drive global impact. From the several side events at the Blue Zone to the CBD Nature and Culture Summit, each event reaffirmed that IPs and LCs are not only essential stakeholders but also transformative leaders in our common fight for a nature-positive future.

Moving forward, it is imperative to create more pathways for these communities to engage with global decision-makers, ensuring their invaluable insights and initiatives are woven into the fabric of sustainable development. We envision a future where IPs and LCs have equitable access to resources, support for their projects, and a seat at the table in all climate and biodiversity discussions. The agreement on a new fund for digital sequencing information and the establishment of a permanent body for IPs and LCs at COP16 represent important steps toward this future. Together, we can harness the power of local action and traditional knowledge to create a more just, resilient, and sustainable world for all.