The Facilitative Working Group (FWG) of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform prepared this report on the outcomes of its work and the progress of the ongoing implementation of activities under the current workplan, for 2022–2024, of the Platform. Key outcomes and achievements are highlighted, such as the efforts of the FWG in promoting ethical and equitable knowledge exchange on holistic climate solutions among Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Parties and other contributors to the Platform; building capacity among Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Parties for meaningful engagement in the UNFCCC process; and facilitating the integration of diverse perspectives, knowledge systems, values and worldviews into climate policy design and implementation. The report identifies several challenges impeding the full and effective engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the UNFCCC process, including the need for a holistic approach to climate solutions that respects diverse values and worldviews and the need to overcome language barriers that dilute complex cultural concepts and ecological knowledge, address misconceptions of homogeneity among Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and shift the narrative from vulnerability to leadership in climate action. Additionally, the FWG faces operational challenges related to membership transitions and access within UNFCCC processes, alongside logistical and resource constraints that limit the effectiveness of enhancing the involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Recommendations to address these challenges and, more broadly, enhance work under the Platform are presented, which include incorporating concepts and terminologies from Indigenous Peoples and local communities into the UNFCCC discourse; recognizing diversity within and between Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as common values that guide their reciprocal relationship with nature and considerations for future generations; adopting a rights-based approach to engagement; staggering the membership process of the FWG for continuity; ensuring adequate resources for addressing language-related challenges; and aligning workplan activities with critical timelines under the UNFCCC process. The report also contains a draft workplan of the Platform, for 2025–2027. Drawing attention to the leadership role Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in the collective effort towards transformational climate policymaking and action, and their rich, distinct values, worldviews and knowledge systems cultivated through generations of close relationship with Mother Nature, this report has been prepared for the consideration of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice ahead of the review of the FWG to be conducted at the twenty-ninth session of the Conference of the Parties.