On September 28, 2024, New York pulsed with the energy of the Global Citizen Festival, a landmark event that brought together over 60,000 people. At the heart of this celebration, Olivier Ndoole, environmental rights advocate and winner of the Global Citizen Prize 2024, took the stage to draw attention to the critical issues facing defenders of the planet. In a global context of climate crisis, this day served as a unique platform to discuss the challenges and solutions for protecting those who fight for the environment.
The Global Citizen Festival closely followed Climate Week and discussions at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. This event acted as a springboard for amplifying the voices of environmental defenders. Ndoole emphasized the importance of this platform, which brought together political figures, celebrities, and representatives from international institutions. “It was a unique opportunity to engage directly with heads of state and activists, calling for concrete actions to protect environmental rights defenders,” he stated.
During his speech, Ndoole highlighted the multiple threats facing environmental defenders: assassinations, extrajudicial killings, convictions, and criminalization. He called for a general mobilization to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure access to justice for these often-invisible heroes. “It is imperative that defenders, particularly Indigenous peoples, are included at every stage of climate negotiations,” he added.
Ndoole also introduced the LEAD initiative, aimed at prioritizing the issues of environmental defenders within advocacy efforts and participation in climate negotiations. This initiative encourages the creation of multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together decision-makers, NGOs, and local actors to promote concrete actions in favor of environmental protection.
Ndoole’s address was also a call to action for the organizers of COP events, notably the biodiversity conference scheduled in Colombia and the climate conference in Brazil. “These events must prioritize the participation of Indigenous peoples and climate defenders. Host governments must become champions of environmental protection,” he insisted.
Another crucial point raised by Ndoole concerned the role that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can play in addressing the climate emergency. He asserted that the DRC, as a focal point for energy transition and sustainable development issues, must adopt legal and institutional reforms to protect environmental defenders. “It is essential to direct actions towards climate justice and social safeguarding,” he declared.
Finally, Master Olivier Ndoole discussed CLIDEF, a coalition dedicated to supporting environmental defenders through legal aid. This network aims to provide legal support to climate activists, crucial in a context where repression is common. The report presented by CLIDEF on the situation of environmental defenders highlighted the urgent need for strengthened support.
The Global Citizen Festival was more than just a celebration; it was a call to action for significant change in the fight for environmental justice. Olivier Ndoole, as the voice of environmental defenders, reminded all participants that every commitment, every action, and every reform matters. In a world where the climate crisis is intensifying, it is vital that defenders are heard and protected to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
The Editorial Team
