Secretary-General,
Madame Chairperson,
Members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
Honourable Elders,
Excellencies,
Delegates and Friends,
Welcome to the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This annual gathering is crucial for dialogue, cooperation, and commitment towards advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the members of the Permanent Forum, Indigenous Peoples¡¯ representatives, and all participants for their dedication and commitment.
I also welcome the participation of Member States and entities of the United Nations system, which is essential to the success of the Forum sessions.
The UN system continues to strengthen inclusion of Indigenous Peoples' voices in our work.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples have paved the way for the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples.
Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Indigenous Peoples contribute to climate negotiations, bringing their knowledge to the table. Similarly, under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Indigenous Peoples are involved in discussions on biodiversity conservation. However, the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples is still lacking. I urge Member States to seriously pursue their meaningful engagement in decision-making.
The Pact for the Future emphasizes the importance of integrating the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and ensuring their meaningful participation in global governance. It commits to protecting and complementing their knowledge, and fostering synergies between their practices, science and technology.
In this regard, the growing influence of Indigenous Peoples¡¯ voices in the lead-up to the 2026 World Water Conference is an integral part of the process.
Likewise, I encourage Indigenous Peoples to actively engage in the preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Qatar this November. The Summit will review the progress and gaps in the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, addressing the social dimension of sustainable development. It will focus on poverty eradication, decent work, social inclusion and inequalities. Your participation is crucial to advancing a people-centred approach to the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, which aims to leave no one behind.
Member States have been encouraged to include Indigenous Peoples as members of their official delegations. Indigenous-led NGOs should also participate actively in the lead up and during the Summit. Indigenous Peoples can offer unique perspectives and solutions, drawing from their rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
Excellencies,
The special theme of this year¡¯s Forum is ¡°Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges¡±.
I invite all UN entities to integrate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into their field programming. This integration should be guided by the recommendations of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII). Establishing participatory mechanisms that ensure the active participation of Indigenous Peoples in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of these programmes is paramount. This not only respects Indigenous Peoples' rights but also enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of such programmes.
Addressing challenges means overcoming barriers, such as systemic discrimination, lack of political will, and insufficient resources. It involves fostering partnerships between governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders to create inclusive and sustainable solutions that honour the spirit of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
As the UN senior official responsible for coordinating follow-up to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, I am pleased to report continued progress in implementing the UN System-Wide Action Plan on Indigenous Peoples. The Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, comprising over 42 UN entities, continues its collaborative efforts to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples within the UN system.
The Inter-Agency Support Group has drafted a framework for UN country teams to track progress on the inclusion, participation, and integration of Indigenous Peoples' rights. This work will reflect significant progress in promoting Indigenous Peoples' rights at the country-level. The Inter-agency group has also established working groups on direct financing for climate action to Indigenous Peoples and strengthening UN support for Indigenous human rights defenders.
Distinguished delegates,
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the Member States that have generously contributed to the Trust Fund on Indigenous Issues in the past year ¨C Canada, Denmark and Estonia. I urge all Member States and other donors to consider contributing to the Trust Fund. Your support is essential to our ongoing efforts to advance the rights, well-being, and development of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
I wish you all a successful and productive session of the Forum.
Thank you.