"Climate Ambassadors: Defending Indigenous Rights Amidst Displacement and Climate Change Crises"

Author: Ambassador Mostafa  Sherbiny, International Expert in Sustainability and Climate Risk Assessment, Chairman of the Scientific Chair for Sustainability and Carbon Footprint at ALECSO - League of Arab States, and Observer at the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Amidst rapid climate shifts and escalating environmental challenges that directly impact indigenous communities and exacerbate the crisis of environmental displacement, this European tour, led by Ambassador Mostafa El-Sherbiny and joined by thirty climate ambassadors, represents a pivotal step toward reinforcing Egypt’s political leadership in defending indigenous rights. The delegation’s active participation in major international conferences will provide a platform for analytical insights based on Egypt’s experience in addressing climate change impacts.

This tour comes at a critical time when the world is facing increasing pressure to balance development goals with environmental sustainability. International conferences are witnessing intense discussions on reviewing the progress made in implementing the Paris Agreement, especially in the context of global environmental crises that threaten political and economic stability in various countries. The significance of this tour lies in its role as a strategic platform for Egypt to present its vision and enhance partnerships with key international stakeholders in the field.

The UN High-Level Conference on Oceans, held in Nice, France, serves as a key starting point for the Climate Ambassadors. An official invitation was extended to the Humanitarian Voluntary Team Foundation, led by Ambassador Mostafa El-Sherbiny, to participate with ten members in the conference. Their objective is to present a comprehensive vision on the climatic impacts on marine ecosystems and their effect on coastal communities in Africa and the Middle East.

Discussions at this conference focus on several key topics, including the degradation of marine resources due to global warming and chemical changes that threaten marine biodiversity. This necessitates urgent international intervention to rehabilitate ecosystems and ensure their sustainability. The conference will also address issues related to the blue economy and the promotion of renewable energy investments in coastal regions, offering Egypt an opportunity to showcase its pioneering projects in clean energy and marine resource management.

The significance of this conference lies in its status as a preparatory event for the upcoming Climate Summit. It serves as a crucial platform for discussing how to protect oceans from the risks of industrial emissions and unsustainable development, while proposing initiatives to enhance international cooperation in reducing marine pollution and minimizing plastic waste, which poses a significant environmental threat. Egypt’s participation in this context strengthens its role in supporting regional and global environmental solutions.

Following the engagements in France, the Climate Ambassadors' tour will continue to Germany for the sixty-second session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The session, taking place in Bonn from June 16 to 26, 2025, is one of the most significant milestones in international climate negotiations. It will involve reviewing countries’ climate commitments and conducting in-depth scientific discussions on the most pressing climate change issues.

These technical sessions serve as a preparatory phase for COP30, where scientific and technical recommendations are provided to policymakers to help them formulate more effective climate action strategies. During these meetings, the Egyptian Climate Ambassadors’ delegation, led by Ambassador Mostafa El-Sherbiny, will focus on indigenous rights, the effects of climate change on local communities, and mechanisms for equitable climate financing to ensure that developing countries benefit from adaptation assistance.

A key topic on the agenda is the integration of indigenous knowledge into climate policies. Scientific studies confirm that indigenous communities possess sustainable environmental systems that have contributed to ecological balance for centuries. Recognizing their role and incorporating their expertise into climate adaptation strategies is therefore crucial.

Discussions at Committee SB 62 hold significant importance in shaping future climate policies. The meetings will assess the extent of countries’ commitments to emission reduction targets and explore strategies to mitigate environmental impacts on the most vulnerable populations. Indigenous rights will be among the most prominent issues under discussion, particularly in light of growing concerns over the rising number of climate refugees due to natural disasters and environmental crises.

Ambassador Mostafa El-Sherbiny emphasizes that the success of the Paris Agreement cannot be achieved without the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and their free, prior, and informed consent on environmental projects that affect their lands. These communities possess traditional ecological knowledge capable of offering practical solutions for climate adaptation and sustainability.

He also stresses the necessity of recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights to their resources and territories, granting them access to climate financing, and integrating them into international environmental decision-making. Achieving true climate justice requires ensuring that these communities have the right to self-determination and active participation in shaping climate policies.

Egypt’s participation in these discussions is an extension of its ongoing efforts to support global climate action. These initiatives align with its strategy to enhance regional and international cooperation to achieve climate justice and ensure the implementation of the Paris Agreement through more equitable mechanisms for developing nations. Through this tour, Egypt seeks to strengthen its position as a key player in international climate negotiations, presenting innovative solutions that integrate environmental policies with sustainable technologies.

This European tour highlights the importance of collaboration among governments, environmental organizations, and civil society in building a more inclusive climate framework. Addressing climate challenges can only be achieved through international partnerships based on justice, sustainability, and the engagement of all affected groups in developing appropriate solutions.