A solemn commitment to respect, promote and advance indigenous peoples rights
Convened as the first high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly’s 69th session, the two-day World Conference brought together over a thousand indigenous and non-indigenous delegates to discuss the realization of their rights.
24 September 2014
The rights and livelihoods of over 370 million indigenous peoples were given greater global recognition as the first World Conference of Indigenous Peoples held at the UN during the opening of the 69th Session of the General Assembly.
This historic meeting brought together senior officials from the UN’s member States and indigenous people’s leader from around the world to discuss and reflect on concrete action at the national level to make indigenous peoples rights and well-being a reality.
In a statement to the assembled delegates, the new President of the UN General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda, said that the outcome of this meeting “signified a new chapter in the on-going dialogue and engagement between Indigenous Peoples and Member States.” He emphasised that the inclusive process between these two groups resulted in turning “shared goals into a reality”.
The Conference follows a number of important steps that have been taken over the last three decades bringing recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights and promoting their participation at the international level. These include the adoption of the ILO's Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the creation of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, and the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007).
In addressing the Conference, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder stated that “political empowerment goes hand in hand with economic and social empowerment”. He spoke at length about the challenges and multiple forms of discrimination indigenous peoples, especially women, faced when they try to participate in the labour force.
Mr. Ryder pointed to the fact that indigenous people, with their traditional skills and knowledge, can make a significant contribution to economic growth and social cohesion. He stated that “indigenous peoples’ occupations, skills and knowledge are assets that can provide a basis for the creation of enterprises and cooperatives of indigenous women and men. Indigenous communities are increasingly combining traditional livelihood strategies with new economic activities.”
At its conclusion, the World Conference adopted an outcome document committing UN Member States to take action on a range of areas to work towards the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples set out in the UN Declaration. Putting forward a comprehensive vision for renewed efforts to promote rights and wellbeing of indigenous women and men and their communities, the outcome document also addresses key aspects of the ILO’s work to promote decent work for all.
The World Conference encouraged states that have not yet done so to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 169, and called for empowerment of indigenous youth, including though employment programmes.
UN Member States also committed to develop, in partnership with indigenous peoples, policies and programmes to support indigenous peoples’ occupations, economies and livelihoods and to improve availability of disaggregated data and the use of appropriate indicators. The Outcome document pays particular attention to economic and social indigenous peoples with disabilities.
This historic meeting brought together senior officials from the UN’s member States and indigenous people’s leader from around the world to discuss and reflect on concrete action at the national level to make indigenous peoples rights and well-being a reality.
In a statement to the assembled delegates, the new President of the UN General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uganda, said that the outcome of this meeting “signified a new chapter in the on-going dialogue and engagement between Indigenous Peoples and Member States.” He emphasised that the inclusive process between these two groups resulted in turning “shared goals into a reality”.
The Conference follows a number of important steps that have been taken over the last three decades bringing recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights and promoting their participation at the international level. These include the adoption of the ILO's Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the creation of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, and the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007).
In addressing the Conference, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder stated that “political empowerment goes hand in hand with economic and social empowerment”. He spoke at length about the challenges and multiple forms of discrimination indigenous peoples, especially women, faced when they try to participate in the labour force.
Mr. Ryder pointed to the fact that indigenous people, with their traditional skills and knowledge, can make a significant contribution to economic growth and social cohesion. He stated that “indigenous peoples’ occupations, skills and knowledge are assets that can provide a basis for the creation of enterprises and cooperatives of indigenous women and men. Indigenous communities are increasingly combining traditional livelihood strategies with new economic activities.”
At its conclusion, the World Conference adopted an outcome document committing UN Member States to take action on a range of areas to work towards the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples set out in the UN Declaration. Putting forward a comprehensive vision for renewed efforts to promote rights and wellbeing of indigenous women and men and their communities, the outcome document also addresses key aspects of the ILO’s work to promote decent work for all.
The World Conference encouraged states that have not yet done so to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 169, and called for empowerment of indigenous youth, including though employment programmes.
UN Member States also committed to develop, in partnership with indigenous peoples, policies and programmes to support indigenous peoples’ occupations, economies and livelihoods and to improve availability of disaggregated data and the use of appropriate indicators. The Outcome document pays particular attention to economic and social indigenous peoples with disabilities.