UISG: Sisters brought local and marginalised voices to COP28

By Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapić, VMZ

Religious sisters will continue to bring the voices of local communities to global networks, according to a statement released by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), returning from COP28. This was the first time that UISG, the umbrella organization for sisters committed to addressing the challenges of international development, was part of the UN Conference of the Parties dedicated to climate change, which concluded on 13 October in Dubai.

"The conclusion of COP28 confronts us with complex questions”, said Sister Maamalifar Poreku, coordinator of the UISG Sowing Hope for the Planet campaign.

She explains that COP28 highlighted, on the one hand, the proactive resistance with which the fossil fuel lobby opposes the measures needed to stop the destruction of our planet. On the other hand, it highlighted the strength, ubiquity and determination of world networks engaged to protect and regenerate our common home.

Key points at COP28

Sister Maamalifar Poreku described the UISG's inaugural participation at COP as an opportunity to comprehend international climate change dialogues, learn from the experiences of religious groups engaged in UN advocacy, and explore coordinated strategies for future collaboration.

One of the priorities of UISG was ensuring that the voices of those affected on the front lines of climate change are at the centre of the global debate.

The key points that the UISG brought to COP28 were “integrating climate action with a holistic approach to address biodiversity loss, pollution and other environmental challenges; integrating care for the environment and care for people, rejecting an anthropocentric vision that supports destructive consumption habits; and integrating the demands of the most vulnerable within institutional and leadership frameworks.”

Sisters globally connected to address challenges

Sisters all over the world are dedicated to tackling environmental challenges through action and advocacy, influencing global development discussions based on the needs of local communities.

In 2022, with support from the Global Solidarity Fund, UISG launched a declaration Sisters for the Environment: integrating marginalised voices, expressing the sisters' vision for ecological conversion rooted in faith, which also outlined the priorities for advocacy. This declaration set the tone for UISG's advocacy in 2023, culminating in their first representation at a COP summit.

Priorities for the future

Looking ahead to 2024, UISG's priorities involve strategic participation in global advocacy spaces, strengthening environmental networks at the national level, and targeted intervention in areas of particular concern such as sustainable agriculture and mining industries.

Sr. Maamalifar stresses, "To address the root causes of this momentous crisis, we must encourage our leaders to seek radical solutions to radical challenges.”

She concluded that UISG is “committed to walking side by side with communities living on the global margins to move together toward a safe, just and peaceful future for all people and for our sacred planet.”