16 July 2025
EU statement
Distinguished Members of the Expert Mechanism, distinguished Indigenous representatives,
The EU remains strongly committed to continue actively engaging in all efforts to enhance the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations bodies, including the meetings of the Human Rights Council, on issues affecting them. We have supported the recent measures taken by this Council to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in its plenary debates.
Indigenous Peoples’ insights and expertise are critical in addressing global challenges, such as conflicts, climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities. Let’s ensure that the voices of Indigenous Peoples can resound strong and free and contribute to international discussions on issue affecting them, including UN conferences. Indigenous Peoples must be involved not only during the actual negotiations but also in the preparatory phases and in monitoring the implementation of the policies in question.
Recently, the EU and its Member States demonstrated their commitment to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples for instance at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The EU strongly supported the creation of a permanent body to implement provisions related to Indigenous Peoples, which will step up their engagement with and participation in all processes of the Convention.
Moreover, Indigenous Peoples should be able to promote human rights, including in the UN meetings, without fear of reprisals, intimidation or threats of any kind. We stress the importance of protection of Indigenous human rights defenders, including in the context of land and natural resources and the protection of the environment, biodiversity and the climate. We also continue standing for full, effective and meaningful participation and leadership of Indigenous women and youth.
Could the Expert Mechanism share remaining challenges as well as good practices in ensuring the safe participation of Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Women, in UN meetings?
Thank you.
