Licypriya brief Manipur Crisis to world leaders in UN Climate Summit
- Dubai, 6th December 2023 : United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) -

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Licypriya brief Manipur Crisis to world leaders in UN Climate Summit

We need billions, not millions: Licypriya at COP28

12 years old Climate Justice Activists and Special Envoy of East Timor, Licypriya Kangujam demands billions of dollars from the rich nations to pay for the vulnerable communities in the United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai. She also highlighted that Meities never committed any wrongdoing to any community in the ongoing Manipur crisis in the Faith Session of COP28.

She met several world leaders and brief about Manipur issues starting from Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, USA Vice President Kamala Harris, Egypt President El Sisi, East Timor President Jose Rammos Horta, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr, UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed, Mongolia President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Colombia President Gutavo Petro, France President Emmanuel Macron, UK’s King Charles 3, Vatican Head His Holiness Pope Francis and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A total of 187 World leaders and over 97,000 participants are attending the UN Climate Conference this year in Dubai which kick off on 30th November till 12th December. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in this event. Phasing out Fossil Fuels and Loss and Damage Funds occupy the centre stage in this year's COP28. Licypriya is attending in the capacity of Special Climate Envoy of Timor Leste.

On the very first day itself, all the member states agreed to ope-rationalized Loss and damage Fund. Italy, France and UAE contributed 100 millions dollars each while USA contributed 17.5 millions dollars which was vastly criticised from civil society groups and envital activists.

Licypriya said, “Adoption of Loss and damage fund in COP28 is a historic one. It’s a good starts but it is still not enough. What we want is not millions, but tens of billions and this shouldn’t be in the form of loan or debt trap to the developing nations. Governments must work together to phase out coal, oil and gas – the top cause of the climate crisis today”

On Manipur issues, she highlighted that People living in the valley in her birthplace Manipur do not even have the drinking water to buy due to severe droughts as a result of massive deforestation in the hills. Most of our crops are washed away by severe flash floods every year. 75% of the rivers and lakes are now dry and dead. The lush green mountains are becoming desert now. Girls' children are out of school to fetch water from a very long distance. This is a real climate emergency in Manipur.

For the vulnerable small island nations, she stated that we experiences multiple climate change impacts, floods, droughts, landslides, and sea level rise. This leads to decrease in food insecurity, water shortage, destruction of infrastructure, loss of human life, displacement, limited financial and technological capacity to quickly recover and rebuild loss and damage. Our beautiful islands are now submerging inside the sea due to sea level rising. It’s not just threatening our community, it’s threatening our culture and identity too.

Licypriya is leading several protests during the COP28 as one of the key voice for the global south. She will be speaking in several sessions before the end of COP28.