COP28, Australian Pavilion – Climate change and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

As is customary for me as a First Naons person from Australia, I would like to acknowledge the tradional owners of the country we stand on today.    I recognise and pay my respects to the diverse cultural heritage and tradions of the local people here in the UAE – and acknowledge the First Naons peoples who have lived on and cared for this country for millennia.   I would also like to acknowledge. [...] It threatens our cultural heritage and tradional knowledges – and has a profound impact on the social and cultural determinants of our health and wellbeing. [...] Our connecon to Land determines our Lore, our Language, our relaonships and roles in our communies, in ceremonies and in our families. [...] And when our women already live in poor housing and in extreme heat –-in places like Central Australia – the threat to First Naon families, our peoples, and our populaon at large and into the future – is heart wrenching. [...] Our conferences demonstrate the depth and strength of our peoples’ intellect, knowledge, and voices – and our unyielding dedicaon to the health of Country and our planet.