Thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to share with you today the things that are truly important to us in terms science and research in climate change.

My name is Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk. I'm the president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, which was formed, along with all of the other ICC countries, in 1977, representing over 180,000 Inuit across Chukotka, Alaska, Canada and Greenland.

Today, I'm speaking to you in the late afternoon from Bonn, Germany, where ICC is present to advocate for Inuit and the impacts that climate change has on our circumpolar homeland, Inuit Nunangat, and on our lands, ice and waters.

While a lot of our work is on the international scale, there are national implications. The consequences and impacts of climate change in the Arctic are felt in every aspect of day-to-day life and in the foundation of our culture. Arctic sea ice decline is expected to result in ice-free summers by the middle of the 21st century. Inuit have observed this and are experiencing its impacts. Increased shipping in the Arctic is changing the migration routes of marine mammals and forcing Inuit to also travel much farther to find our healthy country food.

Permafrost temperatures have increased to record levels in the past 30 years. As it thaws and degrades, the buildings, pipelines and airstrips that are built upon it can tilt and become unstable. Up to 50% of Arctic infrastructure may be at risk of damage by 2050. This will require significant financing commitments.

Surface waves with increased intensity and frequency are projected in the Arctic Ocean and along the coast, resulting in increased rates of coastal erosion in the coming decades. Thawing permafrost and waves erode the Arctic coastline at an average of half a metre per year. In northern Alaska, the rates are 1.4 metres per year.

Here, at the international level, one of our key messages is that Inuit and all indigenous peoples around the world require equitable, sustainable and direct access to climate finance. The climate change adaptation needs are extensive across Inuit Nunangat, from emergency management to ice safety and infrastructure. We are encouraged by the indigenous climate leadership agenda within Canada, and hope to see ambitious action from beyond the current mandate.

Indigenous knowledge involves multiple methodologies, evaluation and validation processes, and ways of storing and sharing information. It offers a holistic approach that can contribute to a fair, equitable and truly just transition. Indigenous knowledge aids in identifying research needs and can inform decision-makers. While there's been progress, there's also a lot of teaching to be done on how to use and incorporate our knowledge in a way that is equitable and ethical.

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation recently announced the creation of an Inuvialuit community research network. This is a great example of Inuit determining their research priorities in their communities. This will bring capacity and self-determination, and it needs to be the norm of community-led research by Inuit for Inuit.

This year, Makivvik released its climate change adaptation strategy. That report acknowledges the need for greater involvement of Inuit knowledge holders and youth, and the use of Inuit knowledge in climate change research. Such examples are achieved through a lot of effort and time, and people dedicated to the issue of climate change in Inuit Nunangat.

Climate change research and capacity-building are areas that must continue to grow as they experience significant demand and require specific expertise. Limited funding prevents ICC Canada from adequately fulfilling its mandate.

Proper financial and human resources would then allow ICC Canada to support Inuit in achieving self-determination at the international level, where decisions around climate action are made and those decisions are far removed from the Arctic.

Through equal partnership with Inuit and our knowledge and experience, we have an important role—