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Madam/Mr Chair,

I have the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, align themselves with this statement.

We are committed to the the full respect, protection and fulfilment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples everywhere – as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and international human rights law. On the EU’s side, over the last year, we have engaged closely with the Indigenous Sámi People, such as during the EU Arctic Forum and Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue, which in 2023 took place in Nuuk, Greenland; or the Summit of Barents Euro-Arctic Indigenous Sámi People in March 2023.

Indigenous Peoples around the world continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty, climate change and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and discrimination. The EU stands in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and today we draw particular attention to all those who have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic and war and aggression in many corners of the world.

We want to draw particular attention to the situation of Indigenous women and girls. Many live in isolated or remote communities, where key social services are difficult to reach. We welcome the recent adoption of the General recommendation No.39 by the CEDAW Committee on the rights of Indigeneous Women and Girls.

Chair,

Indigenous Peoples are recognised as safeguarding 80% of the planet’s biodiversity. This makes them central guardians of ecosystems and the natural resources, including clean water. At the same time, they are among the most affected by the severe impacts of illegal mining, logging, environmental degradation and and negative climate change-related impacts.

Given the major challenges, integrating Indigenous expertise and traditional knowledge into land management and development policies would be an  important step, since it can lead to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. Their insights about local ecosystems can offer solutions to protect our natural environment – something that is very central also for effective climate action.

While preserving indigenous languages and knowledge is central, we do not shy away from the importance of continued attention to regulating private sector activities.The EU is showing global leadership on Business and Human Rights with its proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We continously promote and support the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights worldwide, to enable space for business engagement with civil society and, in case of oversight or violations and abuses, ensure access to remedies.

Successful private sector projects, be it in the extractive or the agrifood sector, require the broad support of impacted communities. Indigenous Peoples often have cultural characteristics, governance structures and decision making that sets them apart from the non-indigenous populations. It is therefore paramount to engage in appropriate ways and to pay special attention to the capacities and interests of Indigenous Peoples, within the context of community engagement. This is not only the right approach, but beneficial for business operations, the success of which often depends thereon.

Social and environmental impact assessments are very central in this regard. They can increase the understanding early on about potential impacts of business activities on rights of Indigenous Peoples. The conduct of such studies should be participatory and inclusive. It is our collective responsibility to strengthen applicable standards and efforts to avoid adverse impacts and minimise, manage or compensate for adverse impacts.

All adverse impacts must be addressed. Further, violence, harassment, intimidation and reprisals against Indigenous Peoples must end. The number of cases of reprisals against Indigenous human rights defenders is alarmingly high. Across the different human rights sectors, defenders working on the protection of land, environmental and Indigenous Peoples’ rights were the most frequently targeted last year - 48% of the total global killings of human rights defenders. Indigenous human rights defenders accounted for 22% of the total global killings. These acts must end immediately, everywhere.

Support to human rights defenders is one of the major priorities of the EU’s external human rights policy and this is why the EU will continue to stand by indigenous human rights defenders who experience threats and violence, including in the context of protecting land, natural resources, the environment, biodiversity and the climate. These killings must end.

In addition to the risks facing Indigenous human rights defenders, lands, Indigenous cultures and languages are also under threat. Of the 5,000 Indigenous languages, a significant number are endangered. The EU reiterates its strong commitment to promote and fight for Indigenous languages and cultures as a central part of the world’s linguistic diversity.

We equally pay attention to cultural rights. We cannot stress enough the importance of Indigenous languages, particularly in the context of the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), the implementation of which is yet in yearly stages. The Plan provides a strategic framework, outlines major actions and guidelines on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities for UN-system entities, governments, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector and other actors.

The EU will pursue its work with various partners, international organisations, governments and, most importantly, directly with Indigenous Peoples to protect their languages worldwide. Every Indigenous child ought to have opportunities to  learn and practice his or her own language and culture.

Chair,

Finally, the EU is committed to promoting the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous human rights defenders in development processes as well as within all relevant global decision-making fora on issues affecting them. It is essential that any initiatives affecting Indigenous Peoples foster respect for their rights, interests, aspirations, culture and livelihoods. Consultations with the aim to achieve the principle of the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in decisions which affect them as set out in the UNDRIP, remains critical. This pertains to all sectors and areas of life.

May I conclude by stressing that the EU welcomes the work and outcome and discussions at the 22^nd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Permanent Forum continues being central for amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples. We believe that this is an important venue for promoting and devising practices on reducing risks of human rights violations.

I thank you.

* Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.