Rio Conventions Fragment Indigenous Influence on Global Climate Policy

The report, Beyond Fragmentation: Advancing Coherence, Equity, and Indigenous Leadership Across the Rio Conventions, arrives ahead of the UNCCD summit in Ulaanbaatar. Authors argue that while the 1992 Earth Summit created separate frameworks for biodiversity, climate, and desertification, these silos fail to reflect the interconnected nature of environmental crises as experienced by Indigenous guardians.

Minnie Degawan, the report’s author, notes that the current administrative separation makes it difficult for representatives to engage effectively. Two years of dialogue with Indigenous leaders reveal that recognition alone has not translated into real power over financing or policy implementation. The study calls on nation-states and secretariats to synchronize these systems to better leverage Indigenous knowledge.

With all three conventions holding conferences throughout 2026, the report highlights a critical window for reform. Margarita Mora, Nia Tero’s Chief Programs Officer, emphasizes that shifting from mere participation to active decision-making is essential for planetary health. Coordinated action could reduce institutional redundancies and grant Indigenous leaders the agency required to protect the world’s remaining intact ecosystems.