"The appeal comes as governments work to finalise a new global pact to safeguard biodiversity at the two-part COP15 U.N. summit, which concludes next May"

"BOGOTA - Indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest have a clear message for decision-makers ahead of two global environment conferences: respect our land and human rights to slow climate change and protect biodiversity.

"People who exploit and take out resources don't live (in the Amazon) - but we do. The forest is our home," said Nemonte Nenquimo, a native leader of Ecuador's Waorani people.

"If we don't protect the forest, climate change will get worse and unknown illnesses will come," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a video call from her Amazon community.

About 195 countries are expected to finalise a new pact to safeguard the planet's plants, animals and ecosystems at the two-part COP15 U.N. summit, which starts on Monday with a virtual session and concludes in May 2022 in Kunming, China."

Anastasia Moloney reports for Thomson Reuters Foundation October 11, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"China's Xi Launches $232 Mln Biodiversity Protection Fund For Developing Countries" (Reuters) [3]

"Halt Destruction Of Nature Or Risk ‘Dead Planet’, Leading Businesses Warn" (Guardian) [4]

"Biodiversity Loss Risks 'Ecological Meltdown' - Scientists" (BBC News) [5]

"COP15: Vice-Premier Vows More Ambitious Biodiversity Plans For China" (South China Morning Post) [6]