Ronald Barnes (Alaskan Politician)

Ronald Barnes (Alaskan Politician)

Ambassador Ronald Barnes is the diplomatic representative of Traditional and Grassroots communities from Alaska and the Traditional Chair and founding member of the Indigenous Peoples and Nations Coalition (IPNC) - an Indigenous non- ECOSOC Non-governmental Organization from Alaska. The IPNC was accredited to the World Conference Against Racism in 2001 and will participate in the Prepcom for the Follow-Up Durban Conference.

Ronald Barnes has participated, intervened, addressed or served as a panel speaker at various United Nations meetings at the Commission on Human Rights (2001-2004), the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (1999-2004), the Working Group on Indigenous Populations (1999-2004), the Working Group of the Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (1995-2004) and contributed with other United Nations Working Groups and Seminars (1995 - present), the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2002-2003), the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the 2003 World Summit on Information Society and has also attended the United Nations Committee on De-colonization (1997).

Ambassador Barnes recently attended ABS 6 and also observed WIPO IGC 10 and 12 with a continuing development of knowledge on the issues and continues to read and update on the issues relating to bio-piracy and developments in climate change and bio-ethics and protected areas.

Ambassador Barnes has recently submitted reports to the Human Rights Committee and the CERD Committee for the implementation reports of the United States of America to the Treaty Bodies. Ambassador Barnes has lobbied officials at the local, state, national and international levels on, inter alia, self-determination, environment and health where he has met diplomats, foreign ministers or Prime Ministers. He has also engaged in media at all levels and with various media on Indigenous Issues.

Ambassador Ronald Barnes is one of the indigenous speakers of the International Symposium on Linguistic Rights (UN, Geneva, 24 April 2008), organized by the World Esperanto Association in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with the NGO liaison office of UNOG.