22 November 2024

Indigenous leaders call on Welsh businesses to take climate action

The Wampís with Miller Research and Future Gens teams

This article first appeared on the Green Economy Wales website.

Welsh B-corps and sustainability organisations met with Teófilo Kukush Pati, President of the Wampís Nation – an Indigenous nation from the Peruvian Amazon – on his visit to Wales. The President was accompanied by Tsanim Wajai Asamat, a young Wampís leader, as part of a visit facilitated by the Welsh charity, Size of Wales.

In an event organised by Miller Research and The Future Generations Commission for Wales, businesses have been hearing about the vital work of the Wampís to protect the Amazon rainforest, and explore how businesses in Wales can unite and support Indigenous-led climate initiatives. The event also highlighted how businesses can use the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act to promote global responsibility.

During their time in Wales, these Indigenous leaders have also met with the Welsh Government, Members of the Senedd, and young people from across the country.

As the climate crisis accelerates, the visit highlights how smaller nations, like Wales, can contribute to meaningful global action. Their visit also coincides with the United Nations COP29 Summit in Azerbaijan, adding further urgency to their message.

The Wampís leaders recommend that businesses review their pension investments and procurement practices to ensure they do not contribute to deforestation and the associated human rights abuses. They also recommend businesses amplify Indigenous voices and participation, and use their platforms to encourage others to act.

The Wampís Nation covers over 1.3 million hectares, more than half the size of Wales, yet more than two-thirds of the Wampís’ territory is not legally protected by the Peruvian State. This leaves much of their ancestral territory exposed to illegal logging, gold mining and oil exploration.

Their visit to Wales exemplifies how two “small” nations, separated by continents but united by shared values, can amplify their voices in the global climate movement.

This is a powerful moment for Wales, welcoming Indigenous leaders who have travelled from the heart of the Amazon to share their knowledge and experience in environmental stewardship. Their courage and dedication in protecting their territory are inspirational, and their experiences are a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we stand together across nations.