A COP17 panel connected threats to Indigenous livelihoods in Russia with the prosecution of rights defenders, including Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt.

At the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), currently taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, a dispute has emerged over the principles of Indigenous Peoples’ representation in international processes. According to Indigenous Russia, the Russian delegation has opposed extending the system of seven Indigenous sociocultural regions to all mechanisms under the Convention. Behind this seemingly procedural issue lies a much deeper question

NRK Sápmi highlights the absence of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt from UN biodiversity and climate conferences, recalling their work to support Indigenous participation.

As COP17 opens in Yerevan and COP31 approaches, Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt remain in detention. Their absence is a loss to the communities and international processes they helped support.