New York, July 2024–The Indigenous Peoples Major Group (IPMG) took an active role at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations headquarters in New York this past July. The HLPF, which provides a central platform for reviewing the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), included speakers from IPMG who emphasized the need for stronger indigenous participation, protection of rights, and inclusive policies within the SDG framework.
Official Sessions and Key Contributions
The IPMG was represented by four key speakers: Saoudata on Africa and least developed countries (LDCs), Roberto Borrero on climate action (SDG 13), Robie Halip on major groups and other stakeholders (MGOS), and Pablo Miss delivering messages from regional representatives. Each speaker shed light on the unique challenges and contributions of indigenous communities across different regions and highlighted gaps in the current approaches to SDG implementation.
Pablo Miss emphasized the challenges faced in Belize where engaging Indigenous Peoples in SDG consultations has been difficult due to limited resources and multiple stakeholder management issues. He called for increased local representation and regional SDG forums aimed to enhance indigenous voices within national SDG processes, ensuring that they are not overlooked in critical development strategies.
Robie Halip highlighted the limited space for civil society participation within UN processes, referencing the establishment of the Nairobi Conference as a separate venue from official events in New York—a setup criticized by IPMG and other MGOS representatives. She noted the need for better integration of indigenous communities into global development, observing that while human rights concerns are acknowledged, solutions often center around climate financing rather than indigenous rights protections.
In the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), Kimaren Riamit from Kenya raised concerns about the lack of direct references to Indigenous Peoples, as Kenya’s official report merely mentioned “marginalized communities”. Despite efforts by indigenous organizations to submit input, the government’s response remained non-committal. The experience underscored the importance of establishing stronger national relationships to ensure that indigenous issues are recognized within national development agendas.
Climate Action and Water Rights Advocacy
Roberto and other indigenous representatives voiced concerns about the framing of SDG 13 (Climate Action) which increasingly focused on climate finance rather than indigenous land stewardship. The IPMG continues to push for the inclusion of language that in turn aligns with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which recognizes indigenous communities as primary stewards of natural resources.
A breakthrough was achieved on SDG 6 (Water) where indigenous representatives, including Ole Riamit, contributed to discussions on the newly adopted UN-wide strategy on water. This involvement represented a positive step toward inclusion, with calls for further indigenous engagement at upcoming global summits on water. IPMG is exploring collaborations with Canadian indigenous non-government organizations (NGOs) and other organizations to bolster indigenous representation in these processes.
Highlighting the Shrinking Space for Civil Society
The IPMG and MGOs collectively raised alarms over the shrinking space for civil society at global forums. Robie pointed out that in recent years, larger NGOs have dominated the civil society process, making it difficult for smaller, community-focused indigenous organizations to participate effectively. This situation has led to a push within the IPMG for greater autonomy and support, particularly for indigenous-led initiatives that can directly influence policy-making on the ground.
Challenges in Representation and the Path Forward
Limited funding and representation at the HLPF affected the IPMG’s ability to influence decisions. Roberto noted that, while some countries like Germany, have begun to provide minimal financial support for indigenous participants, more substantial resources are needed to ensure equitable access to SDG forums. In particular, the IPMG advocates for increased funding for indigenous representatives from VNR countries to attend critical UN events.
Key Recommendations from the IPMG
Enhanced Indigenous Representation: IPMG advocates for indigenous inclusion in future global meetings, such as the Summit of the Future in September 2025 and the World Social Summit in Doha.
Funding for Local and Regional SDG Initiatives: Increased support for local SDG reviews and VNRs, along with a push for voluntary local reviews, to ensure indigenous perspectives are captured at multiple levels of governance.
Data Sovereignty for Indigenous Communities: Ensuring that indigenous communities generate and control their own data rather than relying on large NGOs or governments, thus aligning data collection with community needs and priorities.