71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly: 3rd Committee – Agenda Item 65 – Rights of Indigenous Peoplesz

71^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

3rd Committee – Agenda Item 65 – Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Statement by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Delivered by the Director of the FAO Liaison Office to the UN, Carla Mucavi

17 October 2016, United Nations

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Thank you for giving me the floor. 

 

In the spirit of the 2030 Agenda of “leaving no one behind,” it is imperative to recognise and respect the needs, rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to sustainable development.

 

Throughout their history, Indigenous Peoples have established a close link with nature and the ecosystems they live in.

 

Today, no less than 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity is within their territories, which in turn represent only 20 percent of the world´s land.

 

As such, indigenous peoples are true custodians of biodiversity and possess traditional knowledge, both of which hold many answers for current and future food challenges, including climate change.

 

When they are forcedly displaced or their rights to their lands are not respected, we are breaking vital bonds that exist between these communities and the environment, and we see biodiversity suffer.

 

Since the adoption of the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 2010, FAO has taken several steps in order to ensure the respect of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and to ensure their full participation in the development process and in the fight against climate change and food insecurity.

 

This year, FAO is co-chairing the UN Inter Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples.

 

FAO has also supported the development of National Indigenous Peoples Action Plans in Latin American countries such as El Salvador, Paraguay, and Honduras, working with governments, international partners such as IFAD and indigenous communities.

 

And, last week, FAO launched the manual “Free, Prior and Informed Consent (F-P-I-C): An indigenous peoples’ right and good practice for local communities”.

 

This is the result of a collaborative effort involving the Spanish Cooperation Agency AECID, the German Cooperation Agency G-I-Z, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Action Aid, Action Against Hunger, and World Vision, and developed in consultation with indigenous communities.

 

The manual provides a common approach to incorporate F-P-I-C when working in indigenous territories. It outlines steps along the lifecycle of a development project, from identifying which communities need to be consulted to sharing achievements after the project has been completed.

 

The guidelines also give special attention to include traditional leaders, women and youth in consultations and decision-making.

 

Looking forward, FAO is developing tailor-made regional and national multi-stakeholders training on the implementation of the Manual of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

 

We invite Member States to let FAO know of their interest in convening similar initiatives in their countries.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

The 2030 Agenda cannot be achieved without ensuring proper consideration and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Allow me to reiterate FAO’s commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples Rights and support them in having their rights, entitlements and opportunities respected and recognised for a world that leaves no one behind.

 

Thank you for your attention.