Indigenous climate expert Daria Egereva detained after UN COP30 talks
Daria Egereva, a representative of the Selkup people and a technical expert on climate change, has been detained in the Russian Federation. Her arrest came just days after returning from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where she participated in UN climate negotiations. Indigenous groups and international observers have since raised urgent concerns about her detention.
Ms. Egereva belongs to the Selkup, one of Russia's smallest Indigenous groups, with a population of around 3,500. Her professional work has focused on facilitating dialogue between Indigenous Peoples and state delegations within UN frameworks. She has attended multiple UNFCCC COP meetings, including COP28 in Dubai, COP29 in Baku, and most recently, COP30 in Belém.
Her roles have been institutional, centred on coordination and consultation rather than activism or confrontation. As part of the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) and the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples' Platform (LCIPP), she has worked to ensure Indigenous voices are heard in global climate discussions. No evidence links her to violence or extremism.
Indigenous Caucuses and organisations have responded with alarm to her detention. They argue that her arrest undermines trust in international processes designed to include Indigenous participation. Calls for her release have emphasised her professional contributions and the need to protect those engaged in recognised UN mechanisms.
Ms. Egereva's detention has sparked fears among Indigenous groups about potential reprisals for involvement in UN climate forums. The case highlights broader concerns over the safety of Indigenous representatives in international spaces. Organisations continue to demand her release while stressing the importance of upholding constructive engagement in global climate talks.
