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Addressee: UN entities; Member States
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The Permanent Forum notes the importance of several concurrent United Nations Decades that are of importance to indigenous peoples. The Permanent Forum recommends that the United Nations entities responsible for the international decades declared by the General Assembly, such as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, ensure good communication and coordinate efforts regarding the participation of indigenous peoples and their issues. In this regard, the Permanent Forum recommends that the relevant United Nations entities report to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which, in turn, is invited to prepare a study on the funding, modalities and scale of indigenous peoples’ participation in all four Decades. The Permanent Forum further invites Member States to support and fund cooperation during the four Decades to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples.
Responses
UNESCO:
UNESCO, as co-Chair of Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG), and as lead agency of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade 2021- 2030), the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032), and joint partner for the Water Action Decade and the Decade of Ecosystems Restoration, has a) encouraged cooperation between UN agencies to develop appropriate governance mechanisms that are consistent, aligned and robust b) working through UNESCO Intersectoral Working Group on Indigenous Issues (ISWGIPI) to promote awareness and synergies between the Decades c) ensured programme reporting on all four of the Decades d) supported the UNESCO NGO Forum which ran the first global dialogue on the interconnection of the Ocean Decade and IDIL. UNESCO has also promoted indigenous participation and design with indigenous peoples for Humanature Panel (Ecosystems), Ocean Decade framework for participation (IOC), IDIL Global Action Plan, and Water Action Decade Mid Term Review (UN Water / IHP-9). – pages 9 & 10.
ECLAC:
ECLAC promoted the participation of indigenous peoples in the Fourth Session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Santiago, Chile, from 28 to 30 June 2022, which follows up the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus, particularly the agreement related to the rights of indigenous peoples. The joint action allowed an important participation: associations of indigenous women from several countries (Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, among others); regional networks such as the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas -ECMIA- (with representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico) and the Network of Indigenous Youth of Latin America and the Caribbean; representative organizations of indigenous peoples such as the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC), the National Organization of Indigenous Women of Panama and indigenous leaders from the Waorani Nationality of Ecuador. The 2022 edition of the Social Panorama of Latin America will focus on education, including the situation of indigenous peoples in terms of progress, persistent gaps and the challenge of a quality education that considers linguistic rights and cultural integrity, providing some evidence on the situation of indigenous languages in countries with recent censuses. On April 20-22, 2022, the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties of Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean – known as the Escazú Agreement, took place at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago. The first COP convened the 12 States Party to the Agreement who approved of a Political Declaration in which they reaffirmed the treaty as a driving force for sustainable development and a crucial governance tool for the development of better public policies in the region, with a view to ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. The meeting also featured interventions by the representatives of indigenous organizations and highlighted the issue of high levels of violence against environmental defenders in the LAC region. For further information please consult: https://acuerdodeescazu.cepal.org/cop1/en/news/countries-latin-america-and-caribbean-reaffirmescazu-agreement-fundamental-tool-ensuring – page 2.
FAO:
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
· The Biocentric Restoration Programme has been implemented in Thailand, Peru, India and Ecuador by Indigenous Peoples Organizations (Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, CINDES, NESFAS), grasroot organizations (INBAR), GIZ and FAO to restore an estimated of 1,000 has in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. In Colombia, work has also started with Gaia Amazonas organization.
· The Capacity, Knowledge and Learning Action Plan for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, developed by the FAO-led Task Force on Best Practices and co-led by the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) team of the Forestry Division (NFO), includes the capacity development initiative number four “Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration Initiative”. It comprises two publications, one regional event and an outreach and communication strategy, as described below:
o Compilation of case studies from FAO FLRM projects that highlight the role of Indigenous Peoples in forest and landscape restoration and good practices that will support future restoration initiatives and policy and normative work.
o A publication with the best good practices in successful restoration initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples to strengthen Indigenous Peoples overall role as key partners for FLR activities by recognizing their knowledge systems.
o Regional event on FLR and Indigenous Peoples that will highlight the synergies between scientific knowledge and traditional Indigenous Peoples knowledge in restoration practices. The event aims at providing insights, data and case studies for the publication on Indigenous Peoples and FLR. o Outreach and communication plan to highlight and showcase the role of Indigenous Peoples.
· Setting the basis to develop a process for targeted consultation with Indigenous Peoples on the Standards of Practice of Ecosystem Restoration to guide the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a publication to be released in 2023 by the Task Force on Best Practices.
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
· The UNPFII 2022 side event Addressing human rights of Indigenous Peoples in SDG 14 and the blue economy, was organized by IWGIA and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, co-sponsored, by the Indigenous Peoples' Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG) and supported by FAO. The objective of the side event was to draw attention to the human rights issues faced by Indigenous Peoples engaged in fisheries and aquaculture in the context of the UNPFII's discussions on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”
· In the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process 2nd High-Level International Conference on International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”, a session on “inclusive approaches to water in ecosystems, land, agriculture, and knowledge development” was organized by UNDP and UNESCO. FAO was invited to be part of the discussion and one of the members of the Informal Reference group on water and Indigenous Issues presented five main points on the needs of Indigenous Peoples related to water, such as the inclusive participation, capacity building and preservation of traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, highlighting the recognition of Indigenous Peoples role in Water Security.
International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture
· The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture is led by FAO and one of the objectives of the Organization is raising awareness on Indigenous Peoples fisheries. In this sense, different activities have been developed:
o The August 2022 newsletter edition was dedicated to Indigenous Peoples, featuring an interview of the newly appointed President of the UNPFII.
o UNPFII2022 side event on ‘Collective and tenure rights for sustainable Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems in the context of the 10th anniversary of the VGGT and the IYAFA 2022’, was jointly organized by FAO, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), Ekta Parishad, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022.
o The side event Small in scale, big in value: Stocktaking, partnerships, and solutions in support of small-scale fisheries. A IYAFA 2022 event at the UN Oceans conference in Lisbon in June/July2022, featured an Indigenous Peoples representative.
o The Small Scale Fisheries Summit (SSF), a preliminary event for the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), hosted (2-4 September 2022), for the first time, a dedicated session on Indigenous Peoples where two Indigenous representatives from Kenya and Norway discussed the challenges Indigenous Peoples face regarding fishery.The FAO Committee on Fisheries recommended to organize such Small-Scale Fisheries Summit every two years, prior to the Committee’s meetings which provides an important future opportunity for Indigenous Questionnaire to UN System 40 Peoples fishers to engage in global policy processes related to fisheries and other related issues.
o Indigenous Peoples representatives attended the FAO Committee on Fisheries, from 5-9 September, and held dedicated meetings with staff from the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and the Indigenous Peoples Unit to discuss priority areas of support. Securing access to sources was identified as a key area, as well as the support of indigenous youth.
· FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit and FAO Fisheries Unit have a full time expert dedicated to follow up the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
· FAO’s Liaison Office with the Russian Federation (FAOLOR) has been promoting the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), specifically, by involving regional partners and increasing awareness. One of them is the Murmansk region as a potential regional partner.
· FAOLOR, together with the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), held a Roundtable on “Small-scale Fisheries: Challenges and Successes” in the framework of the V Global Fishery Forum. The panellists and participants paid special attention to Indigenous Peoples of the North and their fishing rights.
· FAO contributed to the establishment of the Alliance of Central American Indigenous Fishers. This has been the first step to a broader participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) implementation and decision-making processes. Indigenous Peoples are now members of the inter-sectoral working group on SSF established by OSPESCA, CONFESPESCA and FAO to implement and monitor the uptake of the SSF Guidelines. – pages 38 – 40.
OHCHR:
OHCHR supported the development of the Global Action Plan for the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032) under the coordination of UNESCO, the lead UN Agency for its organization. The Office also contributed to meetings of the Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Indigenous Languages), including through financial support, to support the implementation of the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. – page 3.
ITU:
As announced in the previous report (2021) and as part of the efforts to contribute to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), ITU and UNESCO organised activities during the WSIS Forum 2022, to support indigenous languages and peoples as follows:
A- WSIS&SDG TalkX to celebrate International Mother Languages Day on 21 February 2022 On the occasion of international Mother language Day, ITU organized a WSIS&SDG TalkX, in collaboration with ITU, UNESCO and other Stakeholders, to discuss the potential role of technology in advancing multilingual education and support the development of quality learning for all. During the WSIS&SDG TalkX, High-Level panelists shared their countries best practices to ensure multilingualism, such as the creation of an Institute and a museum to preserve languages in Bangladesh or the decision to use Artificial Intelligence to tackle obstacles for digital inclusion and empowerment in India. Session recording and additional information available here https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2022/Agenda/Session/121
B- ICTs for Indigenous Languages Hackathon in 2022 The WSIS Forum 2022 co-organized an online hackathon, in collaboration with ITU, UNESCO, Nokia and the Internet Society, under the theme of ICTs for Indigenous Languages. The hackathon generated a lot of excitement worldwide, by gathering more than 690 participants from 67 Countries who ideated in teams of 2 to 5 members, ICT solutions addressing 3 challenges faces by Indigenous peoples, which are knowledge, empowerment, and preservation. 3 winners, one for each challenge area were awarded a 1000 $ cash prize, alongside a 6-month mentoring programme with Nokia, during a High-Level Dialogue organized as part of the WSIS Forum 2022 Final Week. More information is available here: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2022/Home/Hackathon
C- ICTs for Indigenous Languages Special Prize As a continuation of its efforts towards the Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages, the WSIS Forum 2023 and other stakeholders a new special prize on ICTs for Indigenous Languages, inviting all interested stakeholders to submit ICT projects and initiatives that contribute to the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of Indigenous languages. Additional information available on www.wsis.org/forum – page 2
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The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum co-organised annually by ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD, and UNDP, in collaboration with more than 30 UN agencies provides a multistakeholder platform for information exchange, knowledge creation, and sharing of best practices on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and fostering partnerships.
Through the WSIS Forum activities, we promote the participation of indigenous peoples in the international decades declared by the General Assembly and other relevant international decades and processes. – page 3.
SCBD:
28. In the margins of COP15.2, the Nature and Culture Summit takes place on 11 and 12 December 2022, organized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Secretariat, and IIFB. The Summit aims to generate new pathways for intercultural, intergenerational and international cooperation to integrate nature and culture in the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, towards the shared vision of living in harmony with nature. The Summit includes a roundtable on respecting and conserving linguistic diversity and traditional knowledge systems in biodiversity conservation. In addition, COP15.2 will consider the topic “the role of languages in the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices” for the in-depth dialogue during WG8J-12. Both discussions aim to support the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. – page 10.
UNDP:
Over the course of 2022, UNDP supported preparations and organization of the ‘2nd High Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action ’Water for Sustainable Development’ (2018-2028) held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (6-9 June 2022). UNDP supported the Government of Tajikistan and the Netherlands (joint co-hosts) in the organization of the meeting. In addition, UNDP supported the participation of NGOs and indigenous peoples representing Central Asia local mountainous communities and conserved territories in the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forum, specifically on the inclusive approaches to water in ecosystems, land, agriculture, and knowledge development.
The conference concluded with the Declaration from Dushanbe to New York, which consolidates critical views of the stakeholders on key actions and partnerships necessary to take the water sector agenda forward globally and provide valuable inputs to the preparation of the UN 2023 Water Decade Conference in New York. The outcomes of the Conference will be presented to the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development – page 6.
UN Habitat:
The Youth 2030 Cities programme seeks to advance the achievement of the Decade of Action through engaging youth in the localization of the SDGs. Indigenous peoples and their communities are a key focus of the programme. – page 2.
Final Report of UNPFII Session 21 (2022)
Area of Work
