EMRIP9: Agenda Item 7 – Sustainable Development Goals and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

9th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
11 – 15 July 2016

Statement of theAsia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Presented by:joyce godio

Despite the adoption of international human rightsstandards, including the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), that ensures non-discrimination and equal development of all peoples, indigenous peoples remain to be marginalised and among the poorest of the poor. They only make up roughly 5% of the global population of approximately 370 million people, but account for 15% of the poor, of which the vast majority are in Asia.

While the Development Agenda 2030 will build on the achievement of the MDGs, I would like to reiterate that the MDGs failed to address the specificities of indigenous peoples’ conditionand thereby, didnot contribute significantly to our sustainable development and wellbeing. To ensure that thecall of the SDGs’ of “no one will be left behind” will be realized, the implementation of the SDGS should be fully aligned with the UNDRIP. In particular, this should be integrated in the proper formulation and implementation of laws, policies, plans and programmes relating to SDGs. This also means the repeal of discriminatory policies and programmes to indigenous peoples.

Clear indicators on the recognition, protection and exercise of indigenous peoples rights should be given urgent attention. The protection of the right of indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources is paramount in all the Sustainable Goals. It is important to recognize that indigenous peoples have a holistic approach to their development and wellbeing that is directly linked to their natural environment at the material and spiritual bases of their collective survival, dignity and development. Poverty should not be measured by income levels but on the protection of their sustainable livelihoods as part of their resource management, access to social services among others. Further, development projects and interventions, including renewable energy targeted in indigenous territories should require their free prior and informed consent in order to ensure that indigenous peoples will not again be sacrificed in the name of achieving national development. Indigenous peoples should be able to exercise their right todefine and control their own development, includingengaging in partnerships with development actors within a human rights-based framework.

In addition,data disaggregation by ethnicity and by indigenous identifiers in relevant targets is necessary in order to measure the condition of indigenous peoples in relation to achieving the Sustainable Goals and targets. The effective participation of indigenous peoples in all processes and at all levels relating to the SDGs including planning, monitoring and reviewing is necessary to achieve the goal of “leaving no one behind.”

As such, Asia Indigenous People Pact calls on the EMRIP to urge states and development actors to the following:

• Ensure that the implementation of the Development Agenda is fully aligned with the UNDRIP including in relation to policies, programmes, targets and plans.
• Ensure the effective participation of indigenous peoples at all levels in all processes relating to the Development Agenda 2030 by establishing clear mechanisms of consultations and long-term engagements with indigenous peoples and stakeholders
• Adopt clear indicators relating to the protection and enjoyment of indigenous peoples rights, and conduct data- disaggregation by ethnicity and indigenous identifiers in all relevant goals and targets

We are committed to work with the member-states, UN agencies and development actors in pursuing sustainable development through a holistic approach and within the framework of respect for human rights, including our right to determine our own development as the basis for partnerships.

Thank you.

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Click here to download the statement.