Latest news with #FPIC
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
New African Development Bank President Has A Chance To Shift The Continent To Clean Energy, For And By Communities
29 May 2025, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The African continent is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, but the election of Sidi Ould Tah as the new president for the African Development Bank is an opportunity to pave a new path for the continent's energy future - to shift toward a just and transformative approach to energy access, one that harnesses Africa's vast renewable resources and affirms the rights, dignity, and agency of its people. As the debt crisis reaches new heights for the continent, scaling up grant-based, concessional funding is vital to ensure countries are financially able to pursue a clean energy transition that is just, equitable, people-centred, and democratically governed. Now is the time for transformative public finance models which serve the people of Africa, not fossil fuel interests. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, investment in Africa's renewable energy is 'the economic opportunity of the century.' With 60% of the world's best solar resources and wind potential capable of powering the continent 250 times over, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead. It's time for President Sidi Ould Tah to close the gap for the 600 million people who remain without electricity and over 970 million that lack access to clean cooking. Accelerating the adoption of decentralised, community-based renewable energy is not just a technical fix, it is a transformative, justice-driven solution which makes the most economic sense. It can empower local ownership, enhance resilience, create jobs, develop local economies, and reduce dependence on expensive, unreliable, and centralised energy infrastructure. Civil society demands for the President Sidi Ould Tah are: A comprehensive ban on fossil fuel financing by the AfDB, including gas, and rejection of false solutions such as destructive hydropower, carbon capture, usage and storage, and hydrogen for export. A roadmap to 100% renewable energy systems that prioritises decentralised solutions and enables Africa to become a leader in green industrialisation and energy sovereignty. A just transition approach that avoids creating new debt traps and includes local communities in all decision-making through Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Karabo Mokgonyana, Just Transition Campaigner from Power Shift Africa, 'The election of Dr. Sidi Ould Tah as President of the African Development Bank marks a critical moment for Africa's energy future. With over 600 million people still living without electricity, just 2% of global clean energy investment reaching the continent, and vast untapped solar and wind potential, the urgency for action could not be clearer. We call on the new President to make renewable energy the cornerstone of his leadership, to drive a just, equitable, and homegrown energy transition that rejects harmful fossil fuels and embraces Africa's immense clean energy promise. These AfDB Annual Meetings have shown us that progress is possible. Now, with bold leadership and renewed clarity, we must turn possibility into power - for every home, every enterprise, and every generation to come.' Fiza Naz Qureshi, Gas Campaigner from Big Shift Global Campaign, said, "With the election of the new President, Sidi Ould Tah, civil society calls for bold leadership that breaks from fossil fuel dependency. Continued support for gas — including through Mission 300 and clean cooking initiatives — risks locking communities, especially women, into harmful energy systems. Women and frontline communities suffer most from extractive projects and weak safeguards. Under new leadership, the AfDB must champion a just energy transition rooted in truly clean, renewable solutions that uplift women, protect people and ecosystems, and fulfill Africa's climate commitments. Africa's future lies in leapfrogging fossil fuels - not repeating their mistakes.' Gloria Kafui Kuzo, Lead on Energy Transition, from Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) Ghana said, "Africa's innovation landscape holds immense potential to drive sustainable transformation, and AfDB has a pivotal role in shaping it. We urge that innovation across the continent be driven by solutions that harness Africa's green, resilient human and natural capital. This must be pursued through an inclusive approach that ensures women, youth, and local communities are not merely passive beneficiaries, but empowered as active participants and leaders in the innovation ecosystem. By aligning sustainability with equity and inclusion, AfDB can help catalyze transformative growth that is not only impactful but enduring for all Africans". Mamadou Barry, Executive Director, from Action Solidaire International said, 'While we welcome the ambition of Mission 300 by the AfDB and the World Bank, we firmly call for it to fully exclude fossil fuels like gas. To truly deliver for communities, strong safeguards must be established to prevent the private sector from capturing the benefits at the expense of those most affected — especially women and frontline communities.' Anja Gebel, Policy Advisor for Development Banks and Climate at Germanwatch said: 'In difficult geopolitical times, when climate action is facing headwinds, the new President must keep the African Development Bank on course for climate action. It is important that he honours and continues to implement the bank's Paris alignment commitment. Shareholders should actively support him in this mission and make clear that a just and climate-compatible energy transition is an integral part of Africa's development.' Rajneesh Bhuee, Campaign Manager from Recourse said, 'Congratulations to Mr. Sidi Ould Tah on becoming the new President of the African Development Bank. With millions of Africans still living without electricity, we hope he'll use this moment to double down on public funding for renewable energy that actually reaches people and communities. Mission 300 can be a game-changer, but only if it leaves fossil fuels behind and puts real access first. Civil society is here, as a partner, to help make that happen and hold the Bank to its promises.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Over 46% of state tribals face economic hardship: Survey
1 2 Ranchi: The indigenous communities of Jharkhand continue to face economic distress, with widespread migration, shrinking traditional livelihoods, and patchy access to govt welfare despite promises and policy formlations by successive govts. These issues were reported in the 'Indigenous Navigator Community Survey Report-2023', conducted by a think tank, Indigenous Navigator, and hosted by the Women and Gender Research Centre (WGRC) on Wednesday. The survey was conducted on Santhal, Ho, Munda, Oraon, and Kharia communities of 27 villages across Gumla, Simdega, Saraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, and Khunti districts. Economic and social security remain severely compromised, with over 46% of surveyed individuals living below the poverty line, and only half of the communities having access to social protection schemes such as pensions, maternity benefits, or food security entitlements, the study revealed. Migration is widespread, with 42.3% of young men and nearly 50% of young women, aged 15 to 24 years, leave their homes in search of work. A santhali representative from Gamharia, Seema Besra, said, "We are forced to migrate due to lack of job opportunities in our villages. There are no jobs and no training imparted to upgrade our skills, but only empty election promise." Only 8% of communities having full legal recognition over their ancestral lands and 81% reporting ongoing land conflicts, the study revealed. Mere formation of a separate state does not guarantee justice. "Even after 25 years of Jharkhand's creation, protective laws exist more in principle than in practice. The exploitation of indigenous communities continues," said Virginius Xaxa, an expert. Other issues included education gaps, with 88% reporting that tribal languages and histories are absent from school curricula, lack of access to govt and media, with 77% saying there is no tribal language content on state-run platforms, and limited awareness of legal rights, with over 65% lacking access to legal aid. WGRC representative Bineet Mundu stressed upon the need to implement development policies that are locally rooted and community-driven. "State interventions must go beyond tokenism. What indigenous communities need is dignified access to land, education, and economic opportunity, designed with their direct participation," he said. Another WGRC representative Elina spoke about the need for ground-level implementation of the PESA Act, secure land tenure, vocational training, and community-based development models. The consultation ended with a call for tangible, time-bound policy actions guided by Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) to uphold indigenous rights and economic dignity in Jharkhand.
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Activist slams ‘misleading' claims over Baram forest project collapse
Peter John Jaban MIRI (May 24): Sarawak land rights activist Peter John Jaban has criticised the state government's narrative blaming civil society groups for the termination of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) project, calling it 'misleading'. He was responding to Deputy Minister Len Latif's clarification during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, where it was claimed that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) and SAVE Rivers failed to meet project conditions by not taking into account the interest of indigenous groups apart from the Penan. 'These claims are misleading and ignore the actual reasons behind the project's collapse. 'The truth is that the project was derailed by a lack of transparency, top-down interference, and an abrupt shift away from the conservation and indigenous-led vision that was originally agreed upon,' he said in a statement. The UBFA initiative – known locally as the Baram Peace Park – was championed by the indigenous communities to protect over 79,000 hectares of primary forest, with the broader goal of ensuring sustainable livelihoods and forest stewardship across 283,500 hectares. Backed by international donors including the Japanese government and the City of Basel, the project emphasised Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and community leadership. Peter claimed that after securing international funding, the Sarawak Forest Department and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) changed the project's direction and excluded core conservation areas, prioritising commercial forest exploitation without adequate community consultation. He said the government's narrative was now an attempt to 'deflect from reality' and that this project was compromised from the top. He also pointed to the controversial logging activities commencing in the area shortly after the expiration of previous concessions, as a new concession was granted to Borneoland Timber Resources Sdn Bhd. 'On the other hand, civil society groups had consistently advocated for transparency, FPIC and the inclusion of indigenous perspectives, while being scapegoated by the authorities.' The activist called on both the Sarawak government and ITTO to return to the principles of true indigenous leadership, conservation over profit, and full transparency. 'If Sarawak is serious about sustainable development, it must start by listening to the people who have protected these forests for generations,' he said. lead misleading Peter John UBFA Upper Baram Forest Area
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Sarawak Natives File Court Action To Stop Logging In Protected Forest
21 May 2025 - for immediate release Penan communities from Malaysian Borneo challenge large-scale logging operation in Sarawak's Upper Baram region Indigenous representatives from 11 communities in Sarawak's Upper Baram region have gone to court to protest the issuance of a logging licence to a politically-linked timber company. In a claim for judicial review filed in the High Court of Sarawak and Sabah, Penan community representatives call for the recall of a 170,000 hectare timber licence granted to Borneoland Timber Resources Sdn Bhd («Borneoland»), a private company based in Miri, Sarawak. Borneoland is controlled by Hii King Chiong, a local timber tycoon who has appeared in public with Sarawak Premier Abang Johari. Hii's company was awarded the timber concession in 2024 behind closed doors and without public tender. The area was formerly held by Sarawak timber giant Samling. It remains unclear why Hii's company was chosen, or whether his company made any payments for the timber licence, believed to be worth millions of dollars. Timber licence granted in violation of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) principle In their lawsuit, a group of Penan elders led by Nilson Deng of Ba Data Bila state that the issuance of the timber licence, which encompasses their native customary territory, was made without their free, prior, and informed consent. They also argue that they have been deprived of their rights to object and to be heard. They also claim that the licence was granted without proper environmental and social impact assessments. The Penan accuse Borneoland of destroying Sarawak's last primary forests outside the state's totally protected areas. The company has already caused significant damage to forest areas used by the Penan for hunting, fishing and for collecting jungle produce. Part of the licence covers the 55,000 hectare Suling-Selaan Protected Forest which was gazetted in 2002. Protected forest is being destroyed instead of preserved In reply to the court action, Sarawak forest director Hamden Mohammad admitted that 'the primary purpose of a protected forest is to preserve and safeguard the ecological integrity of the land, ensure environmental protection of soils and water, and in some cases, support productive forest activities.' Satellite imagery however shows the heavy footprint of Borneoland's operations, even in areas that were defined as 'protection zone'. In particular, the west flank of the iconic Gunung Murud Kecil is under attack by the loggers. Lack of transparency inviting abuse and corruption Though the litigation that has been ongoing since January 2025, the Sarawak state government has so far failed to produce key documents such as environmental or social impact assessments, timber harvesting plans, and the timber licence granted to Borneoland. These documents are being withheld from the public in what Swiss environmental group Bruno Manser Fonds calls a 'scandalous lack of transparency that is inviting abuse and corruption'. ' My clients are calling on the court to quash the Director of Forest's decision to issue forest timber licence, and to stop the unlawful logging operation', said Miri-based lawyer Roland Engan. 'I will officially apply to court for all relevant documents pertaining to the logging operation. However, in the end this is a political problem. The Sarawak state government under Premier Abang Johari should never have issued this timber licence. It is high time for the Sarawak government to stop this kind of destructive logging that reminds us of the 1990s.'
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Support for Sabah in protecting native customary rights
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 Text Size: Peter said that Indigenous peoples must receive fair benefits from any projects impacting their lands. - FMT pic. Kota Kinabalu: Indigenous communities in Sarawak have voiced strong support for their counterparts in Sabah, echoing calls for greater recognition of native customary rights (NCR) and stronger protections for Indigenous heritage. 'We, the Indigenous people of Sarawak, stand in solidarity with the Indigenous communities of Sabah in demanding a transparent and inclusive process to recognize and enforce NCR land boundaries,' said Peter John Jaban, a Humans and Land Rights defender, in a statement. Advertisement Peter, who is also a member of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), urged for concrete measures to safeguard Indigenous languages, traditions and heritage, as well as ensuring that development projects are only carried out with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of affected communities. He said that Indigenous peoples must receive fair benefits from any projects impacting their lands. The challenges faced by Sabah's Indigenous communities, land encroachment, displacement due to large-scale development and the erosion of cultural identity are all too familiar to Sarawak's native populations. Systemic issues such as inadequate access to basic services, limited political representation and exclusion from decision-making processes further compound these struggles. Advertisement Citing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Peter emphasised the legal and moral obligation of governments to uphold Indigenous rights. Key provisions include Article 32 Indigenous peoples must give FPIC before any development projects proceed on their lands, Article 10 Protection against forced removal from territories and Article 19 Governments must consult Indigenous communities before passing laws affecting them. The groups are calling for transparent NCR land boundary recognition to prevent disputes and displacement, stronger legal protections for Indigenous languages, traditions and sacred sites. Additionally, they also called for effective FPIC implementation to ensure communities have a say in development projects and inclusive governance where Indigenous voices are heard at all policy levels. 'The future of Sarawak's and Sabah's Indigenous peoples and Malaysia's rich cultural heritage depends on upholding justice, equity and human rights,' Peter said. 'We urge authorities to take immediate action,' he added. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
