Wu Hongbo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, recommended recognition of indigenous peoples in the post-2015 development agenda, and called attention to the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples as an opportunity for concrete action.
22 October 2012: In a statement to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee, Wu Hongbo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, highlighted progress made on indigenous issues while calling for strengthened efforts to ensure indigenous peoples’ inclusion in development dialogues.
On progress made on indigenous peoples’ issues, Wu highlighted the UNGA’s adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). He said the Declaration has catalyzed constitutional and legislative reform in countries around the world, and served as a reference in rulings in national tribunals, regional courts and human rights systems. He added that indigenous peoples’ concept of development, including culture, identity and well-being, has been incorporated into development policies and programmes.
Noting persistent challenges in recognizing indigenous peoples’ ownership rights and use of lands, natural resources and territories, Wu called for strengthened efforts to mainstream indigenous peoples’ issues in the development agenda. He said indigenous people “remain mostly invisible in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” and recommended recognition of indigenous peoples in the post-2015 development agenda. He proposed improved data collection on indigenous peoples and legislation, policies and projects designed in consultation with indigenous peoples. He also emphasized the right to free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples.
Wu concluded by recognizing the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, to be held at the UNGA in 2014, as “an opportunity for real and effective engagement between Governments, the UN system and indigenous peoples.” He hoped the Conference would generate concrete actions by the UN and Governments in partnership with indigenous peoples.
Shamshad Akhtar, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, delivered the statement on behalf of Wu Hongbo. The Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People ends in 2014. [Wu Hongbo’s Statement]