15 August 2017
UN Releases Draft Resolution on Indigenous Peoples’ Participation
Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
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UN Member States have negotiated a draft resolution on indigenous peoples’ participation in UN processes.

The draft resolution is based on informal consultations among Member States and indigenous peoples, which began in February 2016, and intergovernmental negotiations, which took place from May-July 2017.

10 August 2017: UN Member States have negotiated a draft resolution on indigenous peoples’ participation in UN processes for possible adoption during the 71st UN General Assembly (UNGA) session. Member States are requesting informal interactive hearings on this topic to be organized on the sidelines of the next three sessions of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII), and for the outcomes to be considered at the UNGA’s 75th session.

Informal consultations among Member States and indigenous peoples began in February 2016, chaired by four advisers appointed by former UNGA President Mogens Lykketoft: Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland; Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Permanent Representative of Ghana; James Anaya, indigenous peoples’ representatives for the North American region; and Claire Winfield Ngamihi Charters, indigenous peoples’ representative for the Pacific region. The intergovernmental negotiations, from May-July 2017, sought to reach consensus on procedural and institutional steps and selection criteria for the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant meetings of UN bodies.

Online consultations found that most participants agreed that existing procedures do not enable adequate representation of indigenous peoples in UN bodies.

In a letter to UN Member States, the four advisors note that online consultations for public submission of views showed that most participants agreed that existing procedures do not enable adequate representation of indigenous peoples in UN bodies.

The draft resolution titled, ‘Enhancing the Participation of Indigenous Peoples’ Representative and Institutions in Meetings of Relevant UN Bodies on Issues Affecting Them,’ requests the UN Secretary-General to provide recommendations, by the end of the 74th session, on possible further measures to enable indigenous participation.

The UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous People will support the informal hearings to be organized over the next three years. The draft resolution encourages governments, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs to continue their contributions to this fund. [Letter from Advisors and Draft Resolution] [Document Compilation]

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