IEG at COP17

This interactive panel discussion will explain how Indigenous data sovereignty is upheld by the East Coast Exchange (ECX) at its first activation at Te Kautuku, an Indigenous-owned landblock in Aotearoa New Zealand. Representatives for Te Kautuku and ECX will explain the mechanisms that uplift data sovereignty, how FPIC and benefit-sharing are implemented, how community data is governed, and showcase the first bundle of nature-positive data products designed for TNFD-aligned corporate reporting and disclosure.

This panel discussion – featuring IEG Regional Chair for Pacific, Renee Raroa – focuses on the East Coast Exchange (ECX), a platform for nature-positive innovation. The discussion will cover how the ECX works, how it uplifts Indigenous data sovereignty, the digital public infrastructure that underpins its services and capabilities, and the opportunity to deploy its learnings and technologies into the 8 Billion Hour Pledge.

Vital Bambanze, IEG Regional Chair for Africa, and Miguel Chindoy, IEG Regional Chair for Latin America and the Caribbean, will participate in this dialogue on how Indigenous-led approaches contribute to healthy forest ecosystems, resilient communities, and pathways toward a more balanced future. In addition to highlighting the importance of intergenerational knowledge, community leadership, and collaboration, the dialogue will also reflect on how different tools, including responsible forest management and certification systems, can support Indigenous Peoples’ visions for their territories.

Renee Raroa, IEG Regional Chair for Pacific, will participate in a panel discussion to explore and identify how enabling conditions can be adopted to sustain and promote approaches that link nature and culture. The panel will connect financing, knowledge systems and partnerships as practical conditions for sustaining biodiversity and cultural diversity together.

Patita Nkamunu, IEG Founding Member, will participate in a discussion on IAPB’s Inclusion & Equity Standard which seeks to build nature credit markets that are truly inclusive and equitably redistribute economic benefits to nature’s stewards. This is part of IAPB’s Nature Credit Studio event series.

Renee Raroa, IEG Regional Chair for Pacific, will participate in a session on finance mechanisms for unlocking the mountain biodiversity, as part of UNEP’s Mountain Ecosystems Day. This session will highlight financing mechanisms that enable the flow of resources to the communities who take care of the mountain ecosystems, and to strengthen the nature-positive activities that provide ecosystem services and maintain livelihoods.

Hanieh Moghani, IEG Regional Chair for Asia, will participate in this side event on the role of nature credits in supporting the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and mobilising additional finance for nature. The event will also mark the launch of the Group of Friends on Nature Credits, an informal and inclusive government-led platform for international cooperation.