Indigenous peoples make up about six percent of the world’s population. UN Secretary-General calls for protecting the rights of indigenous peoples Climate and Environment
Indigenous peoples are custodians of millennia of culture and knowledge, and their role in global decision-making is more important than ever. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated this at the opening of the 25th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The UN head emphasized that conflicts related to land resources often occur in the world. In this context, Guterres noted, violations of the rights of indigenous peoples are often committed, including illegal mining on their lands. He emphasized that health and the environment are inseparable, especially for those who live and work on the land.
“This is especially true in contexts of conflict, where forced displacement from ancestral lands, loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, destruction of sacred sites and cultural traditions can threaten people’s health,” the UN chief said. Guterres also recalled the problem of water pollution, emphasizing that entire generations of indigenous people are suffering from its consequences. peoples.
The Secretary General outlined the most important areas of action that will change the situation for the better. First, states must comply with the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by enshrining its principles in national laws.
Secondly, in his opinion, it is necessary to ensure the direct participation of representatives of indigenous peoples, including women, in decisions that directly affect them.
Guterres also called for the protection of community leaders and activists against violence.
“The United Nations exists so that people around the world can come together to solve common problems. And this must include indigenous peoples in all their diversity,” he said.
The Secretary-General acknowledged that progress at the international level does not always translate into real change on the ground due to political and institutional barriers. He called for these obstacles to be removed so that the experiences of indigenous peoples can help humanity navigate a period of global uncertainty.