Indigenous Peoples' Urgent Call To Action

Statement by the Indigenous Peoples' Global Platform on Indigenous Peoples' Day 2024

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the invaluable contributions, profound knowledge, and enduring resilience of Indigenous Peoples around the globe. As we look forward to the upcoming Conferences of the Parties (COPs) for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Summit for the Future hosted by this year’s General Assembly, we want to remind government officials and other decision makers of the urgent need for our inclusion in all levels of decision-making.

We face complex challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and increasing social disparities. These are especially acute for us and affect our communities profoundly, as we are on the frontlines of environmental and social changes. The solutions to these global issues are intricately connected to the lands and resources we steward with unparalleled wisdom and care. Our sustainable practices and traditional knowledge are not only vital to our survival but offer crucial insights for addressing the broader environmental and societal crises facing the world.

Moreover, we must confront the escalating violence and persecution faced by Indigenous Peoples worldwide. This violence threatens our communities and undermines our ability to protect our lands and cultures. In light of these challenges, it is imperative that we have access to justice, and that our rights to self-determination and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) are fully recognised and upheld. These rights are fundamental to our ability to participate in and influence decisions that affect our lives and territories.

We assert that addressing these pressing issues is impossible without fully engaging our expertise and recognising our rights to our lands and our rightful role in decision-making processes. No decision about us should be taken without us! We call on governments to commit to true inclusivity and justice by actively integrating our voices and perspectives in efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all.