April 16 2024, the 23th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Endorsed by ILC's Indigenous People's Global Platform, Chepkitale Indigenous People Development Project (CIPDP), Red de Jóvenes Indígenas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (RIJ), Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), AZUL, and Ogeik Peoples' Development Program.
Item 3 Discussion on the theme “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”
Thank you Chair,
I have the pleasure to deliver this statement in the name of the Platform of Indigenous Peoples and the Youth Advisory Group of the International Land Coalition.
We express our gratitude to the Forum for recognizing the importance of Indigenous youth in this year’s theme. It’s vital to acknowledge the intrinsic link between the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and our rights to our lands and territories and the preservation of our way of life.
As Indigenous youth, we inherit a sacred duty to protect our Mother Earth. We do so out of respect for our Elders, our respect and value of life on Earth. Many of us serve as environmental human rights defenders, bravely standing up for our ancestral lands and natural resources. However, we often face reprisals and intimidation for our advocacy efforts.
Our lands hold profound significance beyond their geographical boundaries. They represent our economic independence, our cultural heritage, the preservation of our Indigenous Knowledge, and our spiritual connection to Mother Earth.
For Indigenous youth, safeguarding our lands is not just a responsibility but a calling—a vital role in conserving biodiversity and combating climate change. Yet, systemic barriers hinder our meaningful engagement in these critical endeavors, particularly at the international level.
Therefore, we call upon the Forum to take concrete steps to:
- Establish an Indigenous Youth Advisory to provide guidance to UNPFII members on issues relevant to Indigenous youth.
- Create a program addressing Land Rights of Indigenous Youth. This Program should address the challenges and exposure of violence, damage and trauma stemming from the loss of biodiversity in our land and territories.
- Designate the theme of the next UNPFII session as "Indigenous Environmental Human Rights Defenders," with a specific emphasis on Indigenous youth and women defenders.
Let us empower Indigenous youth, amplify their voices, and honor their invaluable contributions to protecting our planet. Together, we can build a future where Indigenous knowledge and stewardship are celebrated and respected.
Thank you and jallalla.