UN Climate Meeting in Antalya Opens with a Prayer for Detained Daria Egereva
On 5 November, the third day of the 16th meeting of the Facilitative Working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (FWG16) in Antalya, participants expressed solidarity with Daria Egereva, a representative of the Indigenous Selkup People detained in Russia in December 2025. A seat was symbolically reserved for her in the meeting room, and the morning began with a prayer for the activist and other imprisoned environmental defenders.
The third day of FWG16, taking place ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), began with a prayer. A representative of an Indigenous People from Montana, United States, offered it in her native language, expressing support for Daria Egereva and other environmental defenders who are imprisoned.
One of the most visible symbols of solidarity at the meeting was an empty chair left for Daria Egereva.
Participants placed a wooden sign on its back, bearing the activist’s portrait and the words in English:
“RESERVED for Daria Egereva”.
The empty seat reminds participants at the international meeting that Daria should have been among them, taking part in discussions on climate policy, Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
Throughout the meeting, many speakers mentioned Daria Egereva, expressing support for her and solidarity with other persecuted activists.
Some participants wore T-shirts bearing images of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt and the words “Speaking out is not a crime”.
The safety of Indigenous representatives was raised beyond the opening prayer.
During the meeting, participants discussed opportunities for Indigenous Peoples’ full participation in international climate negotiations, the protection of traditional knowledge and responsibility towards future generations.
Several speakers expressed concern that Indigenous representatives face persecution for their public work and engagement with international organisations. Daria Egereva was detained on 17 December 2025, a few days after taking part in the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil. Human rights defender Natalia Leongardt was detained on the same day, while searches and interrogations affected other Indigenous activists in several regions of Russia.
Participants also spoke about the need to ensure that Indigenous Peoples have real influence on UN decisions, rather than merely a formal presence at conferences.
This issue is particularly important for the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform. One of its objectives is to expand the participation of traditional knowledge holders in international climate policy.
COP31, the largest annual UN conference on climate change, will take place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November.
Indigenous Peoples participate in climate negotiations to draw attention to the effects of global warming on their territories, traditional livelihoods and cultures.
However, the opportunity to participate is inseparable from the safety of community representatives.
The experience of Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongardt has become one of the examples cited by FWG16 participants when discussing the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the conditions for their engagement with the UN.
The empty chair bearing Daria Egereva’s name in the Antalya meeting room has become a reminder of those who cannot be present at international climate negotiations today. It is also an expression of solidarity with people who continue to defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, their lands and the environment.
Photos: FWG16 participants, Antalya, 5 November 2026.
Related reading:
Comments