United Nations General Assembly 72 Session, Third Committee, Agenda Item: Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Mr. Chairman

 

• Thank you for giving me the floor.
• FAO considers this an important item for deliberation, and would like to in particular recognize the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which through the years has provided us all with a powerful tool to advance the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
• However, as indicated by the last report from the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, there is still plenty of work to do towards the implementation of the Declaration.
• The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals provide us with a framework to strengthen our commitment to indigenous peoples and work collectively to advance their rights.   
• FAO considers indigenous peoples as fundamental allies in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, in the broadening of the food base, and in the adaptation to climate change.
• It is also to be underlined that indigenous people’s traditional knowledge, combined with new technologies, offers tremendous opportunities for humanity.
• Yet, indigenous peoples continue to regularly face discrimination and marginalization, and are often denied their true custodial rights of their land and the management of their natural resources, which consequently places them in a vulnerable position.

 

Mr Chairman

 

• FAO’s current work plan on indigenous peoples is shaped around 7 pillars: 1. Indigenous Food Systems; 2. Voluntary Guidelines on the Governance of Tenure (VGGT); 3. Indicators for Food security; 4. Free prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); 5. Coordination; 6. Advocacy and capacity development; and 7. Climate change and traditional knowledge.
• In addition, and following the recommendations of the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples (UNPFII), the two focus areas of FAO’s work are on indigenous youth and indigenous women.
• In this context, FAO organized in April of this year a meeting with the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus to update and incorporate the concerns of indigenous youth in the work of the Organization.
• We are also finalizing a global campaign on indigenous women that builds upon the experiences of the different leadership schools for indigenous women that FAO has been implementing in India, the Philippines, Peru and Bolivia.
• Furthermore, let me inform you that this week, the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) is meeting in Rome to discuss, among others, sustainable forestry, an issue that affects millions of indigenous peoples across the world.

 

Mr. Chairman

 

• In conclusion, I would like to stress, that the 2030 Agenda cannot be achieved without ensuring proper consideration and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Therefore 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.

 

I thank you for your attention.