April 22, 2025. New York. Within the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR) together with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, featuring the GEF-funded UNEP project Reindeer Herding and Resilience organized a side event, featuring key speakers, Indigenous reindeer herders, and pastoralist communities on how land degradation and fragmentation impact the principles of autonomy, cultural preservation, mobility, environmental stewardship, and self-determination. 

Invited speakers:

Mary Blair, American Museum of Natural History 

Anders Oskal, Executive Director, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR) and Secretary General, World Reindeer Herders

Per-Olof Nutti, Sámi Council

Maren Benedicte Storslett, Executive Council, Sámi Parliament of Norway 

Tuomas Aslat Juuso, President, Sámi Parliament of Finland

Marina Tonkopeeva, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR) / UNEP-GEF Project 

Khongorzul Mungunshagai - Dukha reindeer herding youth 

Sara-Elvira Kuhmunen - President of the Sami Youth Organization, Sáminuorra 

Ravdna BME Sara, Sámi Reindeer Herder, Fálá

Video of the session is available https://www.youtube.com/@ReindeerHerdingandResilience