EU Statement – UN General Assembly: High Level Event to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

Ten years ago, the EU contributed to the success of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, including by promoting the equal participation of Indigenous Peoples in preparations for the meeting.

We supported the Outcome Document of the conference, which continues to serve as a blueprint for actions at international and national level, bringing positive changes to the lives of Indigenous Peoples.

Over the intervening decade, the EU has developed its policy in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in close consultation with Indigenous representatives and institutions.

As part of this, the EU hosted a dialogue with indigenous leaders from all regions of the world, to ensure our policies reflect the realities on the ground. We have updated our Arctic Policies to ensure that it benefits the Indigenous Peoples in the region.

Globally, we continue to support Indigenous Peoples, for example through the project "Indigenous Navigator - towards full and effective recognition and realisation of Indigenous Peoples' rights". This toolis fundamental to tackle the lack of data concerning the actual situation of Indigenous Peoples globally, but also to contest available data that may not be representative of the actual situation. We are happy to see more and more organisations participating and enriching the data.

Despite the many positive examples of progress achieved within the EU and around the world, Indigenous Peoples continue to experience discrimination and remain disproportionately affected by poverty, climate change and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence.

We want to drawparticular attention to the situation of Indigenous women and girls. Many live in isolated or remote communities, where key social services are difficult to reach. We welcome the adoption of landmark General Recommendation No.39 by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on the rights of Indigenous Women and Girls. On the 45^th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the 25^th anniversary of its optional protocol, the EU will continue to promote the ratification and full implementation.

President,

Support to human rights defenders is one of the key priorities of the EU's external human rights policy and this is why the EU will continue to stand by Indigenous human rights defenders who experience threats and violence, including in the context of protecting land, natural resources, the environment, biodiversity and the climate.

In addition to the risks facingIndigenous human rights defenders, Indigenous cultures, lands and languages are also under threat. Of the 5,000 Indigenous languages, a significant number are endangered. The EU reiterates its strong commitment to promote and fight for preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures as a central part of the world's linguistic diversity, namely in keeping with the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032).

By reaffirming our support to the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we remain determined to work closely with Indigenous Peoples, along with other partners and stakeholders in our endeavours to promote the recognition that human rights are equally guaranteed to all. All Indigenous children ought to have opportunities to learn and practice their own language and culture.

President,

Indigenous Peoples are safeguarding 80% of the planet's biodiversity. This makes them central guardians of ecosystems and the natural resources, including clean water. At the same time, they are among the groups most affected by the impacts of illegal mining, logging, environmental degradation and climate change.

Given these severe challenges, integrating Indigenous expertise and traditional knowledge into land management and development policies is an important step to, support more sustainable and equitable outcomes. Their foundational knowledge about local ecosystems can offer solutions to protect our natural environment - thereby also contributing to effective climate action.

While preserving Indigenous languages and knowledge is central, we must also acknowledge the importance of regulating private sector activities. The EU is showing global leadership on Business and Human Rights with its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We continuously promote and support the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights worldwide, to enable space for business engagement with civil society and - in case of abuse or oversight - call for access to effective remedies.

Successful private sector projects,including in the extractive or the agricultural sector, require the broad support of impacted communities. Indigenous Peoples often have cultural characteristics, governance structures and decision making that sets them apart from the non-indigenous populations. It is therefore paramount to engage in appropriate ways and to pay special attention to the capacities, interests and rights of Indigenous Peoples, as set out in the UNDRIP and in international human rights law, within the context of community engagement. This is not only the right approach, but beneficial for business operations. Social and environmental impact assessments are very central in this regard. The EU's Critical Raw Material Act puts the respect of human rights, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the UNDRIP, at the centre of the EU's efforts to diversify and secure its supply chains in a sustainable manner. This is an essential element of the green transition, in which we move away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources and use. For this transition to be sustainable, it needs to a just transition, respecting human rights of all.

President,

The EU is committed to promoting the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous human rights defenders in development processes as well as within all relevant global decision-making fora on issues affecting them. It is essential that any initiatives affecting Indigenous Peoples foster respect for their rights as set out in the UNDRIP, knowledge, aspirations, culture and livelihoods. Consultations on ensuring the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in decisions which affect them, as set out in the UNDRIP, remains critical. This pertains to all sectors and areas of life.

With regard to the enhanced participation within the UN, the European Union remains engaged in this process with the objective of securing a consensual, clear and concrete outcome. We trust that progress can be made on this important issue, following the recent appointment of two facilitators and two advisers from Indigenous Peoples.

I thank you.

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