25th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council Human Rights Council Date: 24 September 2025 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/hrc/60/25 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- HRC · Vice-President [0:00]: Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I hereby declare open the 25th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. We will now begin the annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples, held pursuant to Council resolution 18/8 and 57/15. The theme of this year's panel is rights of indigenous people in the context of a just transition to sustainable energy systems, including in relation to critical minerals. This panel discussion is accessible to persons with disabilities through the provision of international sign interpretation and real-time captioning, together with the other accessibility measures. It is my honor to welcome Ms. Nada Al-Nasif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, who will deliver an opening statement in person. Let me also welcome our distinguished panelists, Ms. Joenia Wapichana, President of the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation of Brazil; Mr. Sankar Limbu, Secretary of the Lawyers Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples; and representative of Indigenous Peoples' Rights International. Ms. Sara Olsvig, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. Ms. Annexa Alfred-Cunningham, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Excellencies, dear participants, the list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I encourage all speakers to intervene in an interactive way, present comments and ask questions that reflect the panelists' interventions and the discussion. The speaking time limit is one minute and 30 seconds for all, and a maximum of 40 speakers will be accommodated. Delegates inscribed on the list of speakers who cannot take the floor due to time constraints can upload their statements to be posted on the extranet. I now have the honor to invite the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to deliver her opening statement. OHCHR · Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights [2:27]: Thank you, Madam Vice President, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, and representatives of indigenous people. It's a real pleasure to open this panel. Today's discussion, I hope, will be above all about opportunities. Opportunities to work together to ensure a fair and inclusive transition. Opportunities that, when paired with action based on human rights, can yield benefits across borders and generations. Indigenous peoples' knowledges, culture, and practice have enriched humanity for millennia. Today, they can help us tackle our most pressing crises. Indigenous peoples improve health care with traditional approaches, they preserve biodiversity, they lead reconciliation efforts, they strengthen food security, and they keep alive more than 4,000 languages. And yet, their ancestral lands are stolen and misused. Their languages and cultures are endangered, suppressed, or even criminalized. Many, especially women, often live in poverty and fear, deprived of education, health care, and justice. Violence against Indigenous rights defenders remains widespread. Climate change has compounded all of these challenges. Indigenous peoples are already enduring the consequences of the unchecked extraction of fossil fuels. Now, they are at risk of further harms if they are sidelined during the transition to renewable energy. Although urgent and necessary, this transition cannot come at their expense. Instead, with more than half of critical minerals located on or near indigenous territories, they should be at the center of it. Your Excellencies, dear guests, I see three key areas of action that can help us turn risks into opportunities. First, rights must come before resources. In every extractive project and across the entire value chain, justice and human rights must take precedence, with free, prior, and informed consent upheld without exception. National policies must mandate human rights impact assessments, strict regulations, land protection, access to justice, and the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples. Human rights defenders must be safe to raise concerns, and peoples in voluntary isolation must have their way of life respected. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the recommendations of the UN Secretary General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals all provide robust guardrails to ensure indigenous peoples' rights. We welcome progress in Botswana, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, and Guatemala, among others. Governments are indeed taking various steps to engage with indigenous people, from recognizing their autonomy and protecting their lands to acknowledging past injustices. Australia, Canada, Chile, and New Zealand are embedding consultation and shared decision-making into energy projects. Our office continues to advocate for a rights-based transition, supporting the participation of Indigenous people, building capacity through our Indigenous Fellowship Program, and working with governments to design just energy transition policies. Excellencies, the second area of opportunity is Indigenous knowledge. It can help restore that elusive balance between nature and people. From combating deforestation in the Amazon and reducing wildfire risks in Australia to promoting renewable energy in the Arctic, Indigenous people have pioneered practices rooted in respect for nature and future generations. I want to recognize Indigenous women who play a special role in preserving and transmitting this knowledge. International platforms such as the UN Climate, Biodiversity, and Desertification Conferences and the Global Environment Facility have long supported the participation of indigenous peoples and recognized their contributions. Earlier this year, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights reaffirmed states' duties to respect indigenous knowledge in protecting ecosystems. This council itself has a very strong record of collaboration. And we encourage all relevant stakeholders to follow these examples. We also call for the upcoming COP30 climate talks in Brazil to pay due attention to the human rights dimension of a just transition, including through engagement with indigenous people. My third and last point is partnerships pointing the way forward. Collective action is power. We must not only draw the path together, we must walk it together. We must actively seek partnerships between indigenous peoples, governments, business, civil society, and financial institutions. We have to develop standards for benefit sharing that are fair, concrete, and backed by robust monitoring. Indigenous people must share in the benefits of these transitions. This vision is already materializing in Canada, Colombia, New Zealand, and beyond. Co-ownership and co-development models are bringing gains that span many years and many areas. I call on states to establish open communication channels with Indigenous people, and I call on corporations to put people and planet before profit. My office stands ready to help facilitate this dialogue. We did so recently in Asia-Pacific region, where our human rights dialogue on climate and just transition brought together human rights defenders, indigenous people, representatives of the United Nations, regional organizations, and civil society members. Your Excellencies, again, dear guests, a truly sustainable future can never be built on inequality. We cannot tackle the triple planetary crisis without Indigenous people. Now is the time to think and act long term in our own collective self-interest, to consider diverse perspectives and to meaningfully include Indigenous people as we seek solutions. By prioritizing their rights, harnessing their knowledge, and building partnerships, we can make the energy transition a just one. I believe the opportunity is before us. Let us seize it before it is too late. Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [9:22]: Thank you. I will now give the floor to the panelists for their initial presentations. I have the honor to give the floor to Ms. Joannia Wapichana. She has Seven minutes. Madam, you have the floor. FUNAI · President [9:39]: Kaimen Pukuden. Good morning. I thank you for the invitation. This is a very important opportunity to reaffirm the progress we have made within the UN, including the Yellow Convention, 169, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There should never be regression in the individual and the collective rights, hardly achieved of the Indigenous peoples. I am the first Indigenous person to be president of FUNAI, and that is a historic achievement that have been important signal for improving Indigenous policy in Brazil. The first one, the reactivation of the national cons of the indigenous policy as a space for indigenous peoples to deliberate on policies regarding to their rights. Second, the restatement of the Steering Committee of the National Policy for Territorial and Environmental Management of Indigenous Land, PNGAT, which seek to guarantee the protection and sustainable use of the resources in the Indigenous land and territories, while promoting social, cultural, and autonomy, and the well-being of the communities. Third, in the participation of indigenous leaders in high level, the government position. And the last, they have another, the institutional improving of the National Foundation on Indigenous People, FUNAI, reinforcing this rule on the phase and the promotion of indigenous rights and progress in the demarcation of the indigenous lands in accordance with the federal national constitution of 1988, 11 lands have been declared and 16 demarcation homologated in past two years. And the action of this in the indigenous land affected by illegal mining with the removal thousands of the miners from the Yanomami indigenous lands. If we do not continue action, pressure may intensify, increasing of conflict and put Indigenous people at risk, especially in isolated areas, front of economy expansion. Proposed for setback, threat in territorial rights and consequently the lives of Indigenous peoples. They represent a form of violence against indigenous and the forest, threaten Brazil and the global climate commitments. The approval of the time frame law, in Portuguese, with restrict demarcation to lands occupied in 1988, ignoring historical removal and suffering by indigenous peoples in Brazil during the full Bills that seek to allow mining and large enterprises in indigenous land without FPIC, in clear violation of the Constitution and the Yellow 169. Bills that seek to weaken environmental rules, increase deforestation, and undermine oversight agencies. Many indigenous people already have their own consultation protocols to show the correct way to be heard by the government, company or non-indigenous third parties. However, given the ethnic, geographic, and linguistic diversity, many still do not have a protocol. This protocol serves as a preventing mechanism to balance the inequality of the representation when decision-making is based. Brazil currently recognizes 114 reference of isolated indigenous peoples, 28 of them confirmed. Each illegal advice of the roads, logging fronts, mining or land gambles can mean they collapse And in three, in three people, protection policy are not optional. They are the constitutional and humanitarian duty. For indigenous peoples, the relationship with the land and the forest is separate. It is not only material, but spiritual, cultural, and intergenerational. The territory is sacred. is sacred. Measures for the demarcation and protection of the land must be considered a priority, not only for safeguarding Indigenous rights, but also as a strategy for biodiversity conservation and addressing the climate crisis. Indigenous people are not merely guardians of the global climate, but right holders how much be part of decision making process, beneficiary of the fair and the benefit sharing, and including in the global policy. We are of the great challenge ahead, the growing global demands for high mineral or critical mineral for energy transition necessary for achieve the goals of the party agreements. However, it's not managing responsibility. This could target of exaggerate human rights violation and abuse, conflict, violence to community and the individual along the value chain. The IPCC recognized that indigenous knowledge is essential for climate mitigation and adaptation policy. Therefore, protection of indigenous land is also a means to implement climate policy based on scientific evidence. Indigenous peoples do not want to be merely providers of the raw material, as happening in the past. The challenge is to have safeguards respected and implemented with the participation of Indigenous people, especially through the land demarcation and protection of their rights. Many without safeguards destroy lives. cultures and compromise humanity's common future. The world recognizes the urgency of transition to a sustainable energy system, but this transition cannot repeat historical injustice. Indigenous people offer the pathway, community solar energy protection in remote areas, indigenous technology that inspired low impact and resilience solution, the leadership of indigenous women who prevents and transmitting technical and spiritual technology for sustainability. This practice demonstrates that there is no use transitions without effective indigenous participation. Here is highlight for priority. Create binding policy that guarantees free, prior and informed consent in all projects. Adopt new safeguard and accountability mechanism, ensuring fair benefit sharing, access to impact of energy transition, ensure rights, and the value chain in the mine and renewable energy. Values positive partnership between Indigenous Peoples and renewable energy develops. and especially guarantee indigenous demarcation and protection for indigenous people. As President Lula emphasized at the eighth UN General Assembly yesterday, the race for critical minerals essential for the energy transition must not reproduce the predatory logic that marked the past century. Leading Judge Ma'am, Kaimin Manawan. HRC · Vice-President [19:19]: Thank you. I have the honour to give the floor to Mr. Shankar Limbu. He has seven minutes. Sir, you have the floor. Secretary [19:31]: Madam Chair, Excellencies, Dignitaries, Indigenous sisters, brothers, ladies and gentlemen. Greetings in Limbu language. I was on a mission to observe a conflict between a community and a hydro company in an isolated rural village threatened by floods on one side, massive landslides on the other, and ongoing landslide activities nearby, all triggered by the reckless construction of a so-called clean energy project. Why would anyone willingly endure such a trauma facing a green colonialism? In the name of the just transition, I spent one night in such a condition in a Yathum Limu village. For community members, this is their daily reality. They have nowhere else to go to escape this life-threatening situation. As a practising lawyer, I have serious doubts about labelling hydro projects as a clean energy in the context of just equity and just transition in Nepal. Gross human rights violations are all justified in the name of development. Most of hydro projects are located on Indigenous Peoples' territories, shimming, shirking of both means and ends of the colonisation. Nepal's so-called just transition continues to undermine Indigenous Peoples' sovereignty, self-determination, autonomy, customary self-governance, while grabbing our lands, territories and resources without free, prior and informed consent. Is this justice? Absolutely not. It's a million-dollar question. Is there any space for justice when Indigenous peoples are forced to live at gunpoint? How can our communities survive when hydropower projects destroy our sacred mountains, rivers, forest heritages and entire civilizations? When communities raise the concerns, no one listens. When we protest, we are criminalized with disproportionate and severe punishment. Right now, nine Limbu indigenous youth are facing trial in the district court of Taplejung for organizing peaceful protests to protect their sacred sites and the collective rights at the Upper Tamur Hydro Project. The legal process is so costly that sooner or later they may be compelled to sell their land just to pay for the defense. There has been some progress in the case that the Singh versus Government of Nepal et al. The Supreme Court issued a mandamus requiring the government to implement the UNDRIP, ILO Convention. The Supreme Court has interpreted FPIC in line with UNDRIP as a legally binding development project, including Sokal clean energy project. Yet, it took us seven years to reach this decision and environmental damage and injustices were newly were never fully addressed. In such a situation, indigenous justice system became more effective than the state system, offering a broader space for peaceful, just solution and real implementation of FPIC. The hydro projects intensified the risks of violent confrontation between indigenous peoples, government authorities, security forces, and business enterprises. Moreover, The influx of the external and militarization around the project site often brings intimidation, surveillance, and criminalization of Indigenous leaders and human rights defenders. They also defending the historical injustice, the injustices, and inequality. As a result, there are almost no examples of successful partnership between Indigenous Peoples and renewable energy developers. The path forward from the principle to practice The recommendations I present here are deeply informed by and firmly aligned with the principles and outcomes of the International Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Just Transition. The summit brought together Indigenous leaders and communities from around the world to articulate and share a vision for the just transition, one that centers Indigenous rights, knowledge, and leadership. By grounding our actions With these recommendations, we can move from principle to practice and ensure that the just transition is truly just for Indigenous peoples and for all. Recommendation. In the context of the just transition, royalties from the hydro projects and climate funds are often misused by the government, leaving affected Indigenous peoples excluded. There is a need to design a separate mechanism for the royalties and benefit sharing that directly leads to the Indigenous communities. Given the frequent involvement of police, armed force in protecting the hydro projects, regular human rights audits of these security forces should be conducted. Restriction on participation in UN peacekeeping force may be considered for the countries violating the Indigenous Peoples' right. UN agencies should carry out annual audit and provide the recommendation to the government. The UN relevant agencies should provide the regular training to the judges and lawyers to ensure the recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples' rights, including FPIC land rights. Compliance by the state actors should be motivated by the genuine respect for the rights, not fear of FPIC audits by the UN OHCHR can help foster a culture of hope and accountability. UN agencies should regularly organize academic conferences on the key themes such as FPIC, self-determination, and customary self-government system to create an enabling environment for the meaningful implementation of rights enshrined in UNDRIP. It is essential to recognize indigenous justice system and stewardship governed by the customary traditions, practiced laws to combat climate disaster, ensure a just transition and promote equality. The following measures should be undertaken to safeguard indigenous people's right within the context of just transition, ensure the right to self-determination, autonomy, self- Customary self-rule, FPIC, custodianship of land, territories and resources, and other rights in constitutions, laws, policies, and all programs at all levels. Ensure the direct representation and participation of Indigenous peoples, including Indigenous women, Indigenous peoples with disabilities, in formulation of policies, plans, programs, strategy, project, budget, research, monitoring, and evaluation on the just transition initiative, promote the solar and wind renewable energy projects that fully comply with the UNDRIP, return the lands to the indigenous peoples that were taken by the government without obtaining pre-prior and informed consent, established FPIC protocols and mechanisms for all projects related just transition, including those funded by international development partner. I thank you, Madam Chair. HRC · Vice-President [27:13]: Thank you. I have the honor to give the floor to Ms. Sara Olsen. She has seven minutes. Madam, you have the floor. Chair [27:22]: Excellencies, Vice President of the Human Rights Council, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, honorable delegates, fellow panelists, I want to start by acknowledging this important day for Inuit in Greenland, my own homeland, where the Danish state is today issuing an official apology to the women and girls who were fitted with IUDs in the '60s and '70s without their consent. As a global society, we stand before a challenge that no country, no nation, or people can solve alone. Climate change has resulted in damages to our Earth and our human rights that will be difficult to reverse. Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by an intersection of pressures of which climate change is just one. The human rights of Indigenous peoples, as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, must therefore be front and center in any mitigation or adaptation measure. Indigenous peoples hold knowledge, worldviews, cosmovisions, and approaches to solving some of these pressures and challenges. Last year, as we just heard, Indigenous peoples from all seven sociocultural regions gathered for a summit, issuing the Indigenous Peoples' Principles and Protocols for Just Transition. I recommend to read and implement these important protocols, which address some of the historic and continuing injustices and inequities resource extraction bring. As stated in the protocols, the right of self-determination is the prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other rights, including the right to give free, prior and informed consent prior to the approval of any project. Excellencies, the extractive industries bear with them an infamous track record of human rights violations. exploration, mapping of resources, lands and territories, reporting back to colonial powers, arriving on Indigenous Peoples' lands, extracting minerals, oil, gas, most often without the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples. The current system continues to contain systemic inequities. It fails to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure benefit sharing and full and effective participation. It often leaves environmental disasters in the hands of the peoples of the land. We all know history, and we all know the system. And today, we also know that more than half of the known deposits of so-called critical energy transition minerals are on or near the lands of Indigenous Peoples. Therefore, we must be careful in choices of words and approaches. Justice. Justice for whom? Transition. Transition to and from what? So-called green energy that requires black extraction? Last year, I had the honor of serving as one of two Indigenous members of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, delegated by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The panel was fast working and included a diversity of members from producer states, industry and NGOs. The panel's report include as a first principle that human rights must be at the core of all mineral value chains. To implement this principle and the other principles agreed upon, a shift in paradigm is needed across the extractive and energy industries. We must ensure global standards for transparency, accountability and anti-corruption that specifically address the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It can only be done through multilateral and international collaboration. Extractive industries operate on a global scale, and all value chains must be addressed and underpinned by good governance globally. This requires to change decision-making processes to fully uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples and to implement the right of self-determination in benefit sharing, investments, finance and trade. It also requires to increase circularity and reuse of materials. The panel put forward actionable recommendations to establish a high-level expert advisory group to accelerate implementation of the principles. a global traceability transparency and accountability framework, as well as a global mining legacy fund. I call on the UN to ensure that indigenous peoples take direct, full and effective part in establishing these initiatives. Failing to address, redress, and repair the continued violations of the rights of Indigenous peoples from extractive industries will reproduce the systemic injustices that we are gathered to address here today. I see it as urgent that a global and UN led process is initiated to further qualify and strengthen the focus specific to indigenous peoples in addressing exactly a just transition to sustainable energy transitions systems, including in relation to critical minerals. Numbers from UNCTAD are clear, the need for minerals critical to energy supplies in the shift away from fossil fuels will increase incomprehensibly in numbers, and a focus on justice in this process as put forward by the UN Secretary General is both correct and urgent. The obligation to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples is an obligation that all States, regional and local governments and businesses must uphold. This is a right underpinning self-determination. How to implement the right of free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples is unclear to many. and we must work collaboratively to further qualify how the rights of indigenous peoples are implemented across all chains of extractive industries, trade and benefit sharing. The actionable recommendations of the panel include establishing equitable targets for timelines for the implementation of material efficiency and circularity approaches across the entire lifecycle of critical energy transition minerals, as well as initiatives to empower artisanal and small-scale miners to steward the environment and human rights. Indigenous peoples around the world are already stewards of both the environment and human rights, and hold invaluable knowledge that must inform these processes. Implementing these actionable recommendations must therefore happen with Indigenous Peoples at the table. In conclusion, I wish to highlight traceability and accountability as necessary measures to improve and underpin sustainability. Our Indigenous sister in Belize must know where the components she is buying for solar panels for her community are produced. By whom and with what minerals, extracted where? Were the indigenous peoples' rights violated in the chain of production of these panels? My own community in Qalualitluat, Greenland, must be sure that components for the hydropower plants are gathered from materials that emerged by fully upholding the rights of indigenous peoples of the land they stem from. We must aim high in our standards. Finally, Excellencies, I must address the continued violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as certain projects are repeating history, imposed in the name of a so-called greater good. The frozen case of the wind farm established without the free, prior and informed consent of the Sami in Norway is just one example. Sammy won the Supreme Court case, and it is established that the ICCPR Article 27 was violated. Human rights instruments are clear, but the systems and decision-making procedures continue to fail the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples. Let us learn and act from history and current cases in reversing the injustices. we must establish globally agreed upon systems that put the rights of Indigenous Peoples first. HRC · Vice-President [36:17]: Thank you. I have the honour to give the floor to Ms. Anetsa Alfred Cunningham. She has seven minutes. Madam, you have the floor. EMRIP · Chair [36:28]: Thank you, Pali. Thank you, Pali. Tita nyamni kumi banira, palara de. This is my mother tongue in which I'm expressing my thanks. Distinguished delegates, brothers and sisters, I want to recognize the indigenous people present here and thank the Council for the invitation to participate. The shift to renewable energy is crucial to address the climate crisis and achieve sustainable development. But extracting critical minerals for this transition, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, brings concerns for human rights, particularly for the indigenous peoples. They are essential for technology like batteries, turbines, and solar panels, but extraction is done in indigenous lands or near them. Historically, mining and extraction was associated with severe human rights violations, forced displacement, damage to the environment, and denial of human rights. and that originates in the lack of recognition of the rights of the indigenous peoples set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. This is an important, an important part of mineral reserves of the world needed for the energy transition are indeed located in indigenous lands. The efforts have been made to estimate, and it is found that 24% of the reserves are indigenous lands. But these tend, the indigenous peoples tend to be excluded from decision making on natural resources. This disconnection between use of resources and control has led to violation of the rights of the indigenous peoples, although Articles 25 to 30 of the declaration enshrine those rights and protection of the environment. These are fundamental rights for the fair transition. The protection of biodiversity and cultural diversity should be central to the value chain for the energy transition. The indigenous peoples are guardians of biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Their knowledge, their practices and their governance systems must be respected and brought into the planning process and the implementation for the energy transition. States must ensure that all Stakeholders in the energy transition, including the private sector and financial institutions, must respect the rights of indigenous peoples, independently of whether the indigenous peoples have been formally recognised in national public policy. These rights are universal and must be respected in all contexts. The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in its study of 2018 on free, prior and informed consent, recommended that the agreements on consent include detailed information on the project duration and possible repercussions on the land, way of life and culture of the indigenous peoples. These agreements must include provisions to provide compensation for damage, mechanisms for dispute settlement, and for division of benefits must be provided. The process of consent must be transparent, inclusive, and culturally appropriate. When projects are carried out in line with the rights of indigenous peoples to free self-determination and informed consent, that can be a positive process. There must be agreements that are fair in terms of the division of benefits, so that the indigenous peoples receive a significant part of the income and resources. That must be negotiated in good faith and reflect the appropriate priorities. Furthermore, There must be mechanisms for reparation of damage to address damage caused and ensure accountability. There must be transparent impact assessments before any industrial activity in Indigenous lands to avoid, minimize and mitigate the harmful effects. The process must be participatory and have the consent and the world view of the Indigenous Peoples. In conclusion, critical inputs for the energy transition for a fair, sustainable future can only be extracted in an equitable way, not at the expense of the Indigenous Peoples. This requires full respect of their rights to self-determination, effective participation, free, prior informed consent in all stages of decision making. The energy transition must be inclusive and based on the fundamental rights and the principles of justice and sustainability. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [42:37]: Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished participants. We will now begin the first segment of the list of speakers. All interventions from the floor are limited to one minute, 30 seconds. The list of speakers is now closed. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland on behalf of a group of countries. Finland · Nordic-Baltic countries [43:04]: Thank you, Madam President. I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all panellists for their insightful presentations. During discussions, just transition in the context of indigenous peoples could not be more topical nor important. Climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, as well as increasing global need for critical minerals, force us to find joint, just, and sustainable solutions for these questions. This work cannot and should not happen without the vast knowledge, expertise and leadership of indigenous peoples in all corners. Of the globe, who have lived in close connection with land and waters for thousands of years. The Nordic-Baltic countries also emphasize the need to include a gender perspective in all environment and energy-related actions. Indigenous women must be at the tables when decisions on their rights and futures are being made. We have a question. What concretely needs to be done to increase meaningful participation of Indigenous women in matters under discussion today? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [44:21]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of European Union. EU [44:28]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The European Union thanks the speaker and all the panelists. To mitigate and to adapt to climate change, bold decisions and changes to the global economy are needed. The EU is at the forefront of the needed green transition. But for it to be sustainable, it needs to be just and inclusive, undertaken in a way that fully respects and protects human rights, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as set out in the UNDRIP and international human rights law. The EU is acutely aware of the risks of human rights abuses, including in extractive industries. That is why the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act pays particular attention to labour rights, human rights and environmental protection. The number of environmental and land human rights defenders that are killed every year is abhorrent. Many of those killed were defending indigenous peoples' rights. The increased demand from these human rights defenders for support through the EU-funded protectdefenders.eu programme reflects a growing threat. Distinguished panellists, can you share best practices of mining projects that did comply with human rights, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples in line with UNDRIP? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [45:58]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala. Guatemala [46:06]: Thank you, Vice President. Guatemala welcomes the holding of this panel on the rights of the indigenous peoples in the context of the energy transition. In particular, we welcome it being focused on the need to safeguard their rights in relation to the extraction of critical minerals and development of renewable energies. The government of President Bernardo Arévalo recognizes the fair transition can only take place with free, prior, informed consent of the Indigenous peoples in all projects affecting their lands and territories. In Guatemala, the rulings of the Constitutional Court have set important precedents and given rise to an operational guide for the implementation of consultations with the Indigenous peoples and the drafting of an energy policy 2019 to 2050. These have been applied at the territorial level, hand in hand with the affected Indigenous communities. We've made progress in Guatemala in creating legal tools and institutional instruments, laying a solid foundation to strengthen the participation of the Indigenous peoples. In particular, the high level roundtable, which is the main dialogue forum between the President and the Indigenous authorities, has regular sessions make it possible jointly to address priorities such as infrastructure, health, education, economy and environmental protection. Guatemala reiterates that the Indigenous peoples are crucial allies in combating climate change. HRC · Vice-President [47:43]: I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico. Mexico [47:49]: Thank you, Vice-President. We thank the panellists for their interesting presentations. Combating climate change and the energy transition cannot be unlinked from the rights of the indigenous peoples. They have historically been guardians of biodiversity. The energy transition needs to be fair not only in environmental and economic terms but also socially and culturally. The indigenous peoples are leaders in finding solutions to climate change. In Mexico, we've made progress with our constitutional reform, which recognizes the indigenous peoples as public rights holders with a legal personality and their own property. Through the principles of free, prior, informed consent, respect for self-determination, and development models which strengthen community life, we have placed the indigenous peoples as central stakeholders in energy transition policies. We support a model that brings together science and technology with the knowledge of the indigenous peoples who must be part of its design, planning and management in the context of energy projects. Distinguished panelists, our president declared 2025 as the year of the indigenous woman. What role is played by indigenous women and girls in the energy transition? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [49:10]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Plurinational State of Bolivia. Bolivia (Plurinational State of) [49:22]: Thank you, Vice President and panelists. We agree that a fair transition would bring progress in combating climate change must be based on human rights and sustainable development, with co-operation and transfer of knowledge and technologies. Critical minerals and geopolitical instruments have an impact on the value chain of extraction projects, changing ways of life within the territories where the minerals are found. Bolivia has natural resources for renewable energy and reaffirms its commitment to the rights of the indigenous peoples and Mother Earth. There is still progress to be made, but overcoming these challenges requires us to move away from fossil fuels. We believe that we must focus on developing policies that bring effective mechanisms for free, prior, informed consent to promote and protect the rights of the Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [50:43]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon. Cameroon [50:49]: Madame President, Cameroon welcomes the holding of this panel on the rights of the indigenous peoples in the context of the energy transition. My country recognizes the importance of a fair, inclusive transition with full respect for the rights of the indigenous peoples and which guarantees their free, prior, informed consent where projects may affect their land and resources. Thus, Cameroon commits to combining the use of natural resources with the protection of the concerned communities, ensuring that they receive a fair share of the benefits from development. Nationally, we have strengthened the role of the Intersectoral Committee to monitor programmes for the vulnerable indigenous peoples. At the 13th session in July 2025 on indigenous peoples and artificial intelligence rights and the future, We discussed challenges connected with new technologies in the protection of indigenous rights. Over 600 young indigenous people benefited from training in artificial intelligence. And the first PhD among the Baka people is an illustration of willingness to promote an intellectual elite among these communities. We stand ready to continue international cooperation to share good practice, build capacities, and build inclusive partnerships that ensure environmental sustainability and full enjoyment of the rights of the Indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [52:24]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Nepal. Nepal [52:31]: Madam Vice President, Nepal thanks the distinguished panel for their insights on the rights of indigenous peoples with reference to just transition. Nepal recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples through a number of legal, institutional, and programmatic arrangements. The diverse indigenous nationalities of Nepal are a repository of traditional knowledge, indigenous technologies, and sustainable local practices. We are committed to protecting and promoting the traditional knowledge, skills, culture, social practices of indigenous peoples. Madam Vice President, climate change has become a pressing challenge for humankind. Nepal's mountains are being adversely affected, making the country one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Therefore, a just and sustainable transition to a low-carbon economy is our top priority. In this regard, we would like to hear from the distinguished panel about innovative and sustainable approaches that are appropriate to better recognize the rights of indigenous peoples while promoting a just transition. I thank you, Madam Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [53:48]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of UN Women. UN Women [53:54]: Thank you, Chair. UN Women welcomes today's discussion on the vital contributions of Indigenous Peoples to sustainable development and sustainable energy governance. We especially recognize the leadership of Indigenous women in preserving ecosystems, managing natural resources, and transmitting intergenerational knowledge. For millennia, Indigenous women have sustained the lands through deep-rooted traditions and advanced ecological understanding and resilient stewardship. Their knowledge offers valuable insights for mitigating change and ensuring a just transition to sustainable energy systems. Yet, despite the essential role, indigenous women often face systemic barriers to participating in decision-making processes and to accessing, controlling, and benefiting equally from natural resources. Upholding the principle of free, prior, and informed consent and ensuring equitable benefit sharing in all resource-related activities on indigenous women is critical. As reaffirmed in the Lima Declaration of the World Conference of Indigenous Women, indigenous lands are not only physical spaces, but imbued with the spiritual, cultural, and ancestral significance. Nothing about us without us is not merely a slogan, it is a demand for dignity, justice, and inclusion. Dear panelists, what concrete measures can states take to strengthen the meaningful participation of indigenous women in the governance of sustainable energy systems? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [55:23]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Federation. Russian Federation [55:32]: Madam President, the protection of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples in the context of an equitable transition to sustainable energies is a focus of Russia's leadership. In working on this, Russia has adopted a state policy for the Arctic with a package of draft laws on business and a standard for responsible business with indigenous peoples. We seek to develop corporate responsibility in the context of the indigenous peoples and industrial projects. involves an agreement that the companies that are carrying out work in indigenous lands shall support their traditional way of life, including sustainable development of the indigenous peoples, increasing their quality of life and protecting their original habitat. In May 2020, we adopted a new framework of sustainable development of the indigenous peoples of the north, Siberia and the far east of Russia. which seeks to protect their original habitat, support the traditional economic activities, and protect the ethnic and cultural heritage, as well as providing accessible education and a comfortable and safe environment. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [56:53]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Republic of Tanzania. United Republic of Tanzania [57:01]: Madam Vice President, the United Republic of Tanzania as a sovereign state exercises full authority over its natural resources, a principle enshrined under international law. Additional international instruments, including the UN Charter, the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992, and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of 2012, further reinforce Tanzania's right and responsibility to ensure sustainable use of natural resources while protecting the right and livelihood of rural communities. The constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 prohibited displacement the deprivation of persons' property without lawful procedures, safeguards and provides for adequate compensation. Moreover, the Environmental Management Act, CAP 191, read together with Regulation 25 of the Carbon Trading Regulations and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit Regulations of 2005, requires all project proponents to conduct an EIA before project approval. This process provides communities with opportunities to participate in decision-making, identifies and mitigates potential risks, including land and livelihood impacts, and prevents unlawful or unjust displacement. The government will continue to address the challenges. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [58:37]: I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia. Colombia [58:43]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Colombia reiterates its firm commitment to a just transition towards sustainable energy systems, guided by principles of fairness, inclusion, and respect for human rights. with a systemic approach which goes over and beyond the energy sector. Indigenous peoples lie at the very heart of this transition. Their link to their land, their traditional knowledge, and their role as stewards of strategic ecosystems are essential if we want to move towards sustainable energy models. However, they also face significant risks, particularly when it comes to the extraction of critical minerals in their lands. It is necessary to guarantee their free, prior and informed consent and their effective participation in decision-making, as well as the implementation of safeguards that protect their rights, their cultures and their life systems. And that includes indigenous peoples that are in voluntary isolation and initial contact. A just transition must also be an opportunity to correct structural inequalities between the global North and South. Colombia supports the idea of international cooperation which is based on shared responsibility, fair access to clean technology and strengthening local capacity, something which will allow us to move towards economy which is sustainable, resilient and people-centered. Put simply, this is a vital ingredient for humanity. HRC · Vice-President [1:00:18]: I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia. Malaysia [1:00:24]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Malaysia thanks the panelists for their insights. Malaysia's federal constitution and state laws provide special protection for the indigenous people in Peninsula Malaysia and in the indigenous of Sabah and Sarawak. A new indigenous people's development policy to be tabled next year will further strengthen rights to land, health, education, and livelihoods while fully embracing free, prior, and informed consent. Under the Madani Vision and the 13 Malaysian plan, Malaysia is advocating inclusive development, will support for rural infrastructure, entrepreneurship and digital connectivity. Agencies such as Teraju are funding indigenous innovation and community-led projects. At the same time, indigenous communities themselves are advancing sustainable energy. In Sabah, solar hybrid and micro hydro projects run by local communities are delivering electricity while safeguarding forests and livelihoods. Malaysia affirms its commitment to protecting the rights of indigenous people and that they are further recognized as equal partners in sustainable development and global energy transition. We would also like to ask the panel how it could facilitate collaboration among member states and corporations in safeguarding the rights of the indigenous people in these current times, where critical minerals are intensely being sought after. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:01:44]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Lesotho. Lesotho [1:01:49]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Lesotho welcomes the opportunity to reflect on the insightful thoughts of the panelists and opening statements made. Indeed, renewable energy efforts for indigenous people need to be guided by human rights obligations and must extend to a concrete protection of indigenous cultural heritage and resources to avoid the risks of deepening and existing inequalities, marginalization, and environmental injustices alluded to by panelists. Renewable energy in Lesotho offers significant positive impacts for indigenous people, such as improved electricity access in rural areas, leading to economic development and better living conditions. Additionally, the recent inclusion of indigenous languages as official in the constitution shows the commitment to human rights for all, which the government acknowledges must extend to concrete protection of indigenous cultural heritage and resources. In conclusion, Lesotho welcomes the call to create policies and laws that safeguard the rights of indigenous people in the country in line with international instruments which affirm the right to self-determination and the principles of free, prior and informed consent, especially in mining and other extractive activities. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:03:08]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia. Indonesia [1:03:15]: Madam Vice President, Indonesia thanks the panel for their presentations. We share the view that a just and inclusive transition to sustainable energy is essential. This goal is central to our national development strategy. As a global supplier of critical minerals with vast renewable energy potential, Indonesia is committed to a transition that ensures social justice and protects the environment. The rights of our traditional communities, known as or customary laws, communities are guaranteed in our constitution and various laws. These laws protect customary forests and ensure prior consultation on development projects that affects them. Registration of customary forests continues to expand, and we have established benefit-sharing mechanisms from natural resource projects. The government's priority is that development improves the lives of these communities, consistent with the SDGs. To the panelists, we ask this question, what good practices exist for fair benefit sharing from renewable energy and critical mineral projects, particularly for local and traditional communities? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:04:34]: Thank you. I will now turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. I give the floor to Cameroon Human Rights Commission. Absent. I now give the floor to International Federation of Human Rights Leagues. FIDH [1:04:59]: I deliver this statement on behalf of FIDH, CELS, Observatorio Ciudadano, and our indigenous partners from the Licananti community in the Salar de Atacama. Critical minerals, such as lithium, are essential for the energy transition. They enable batteries, electric mobility, and the storage necessary for decarbonization. But the climate emergency cannot justify irreversible social, cultural, and environmental impacts. In the high Andean salt flats, brine extraction is mining for water, an element sacred to the local indigenous peoples, which reduces water tables, degrades the habitats of native fauna and flora, and increases the risks of salinization and contamination. Socially and culturally, it jeopardizes farming and agriculture, the health of local communities, as well as ancestral knowledge and community cohesion. Economically and in terms of governance, the benefits are concentrated outside the territory, with little transparency and insufficient oversight. In the search for a green transition, we are only reproducing inequalities like those exacerbated by fossil fuel extraction. Instead, this transition must center environmental justice and human rights with independent and participatory assessments, free and informed prior consultation, precautionary measures to protect water and biodiversity, effective oversight, and clear mechanisms for redress for those who are harmed in the name of this transition. States must promote governance with community leadership and circular economy policies that reduce primary extraction. Only with transparency, accountability, joint planning, and genuine consent will the transition be fair, respecting the life, territory, and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:06:30]: Thank you. I give the floor to International Service for Human Rights. ISHR [1:06:36]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. My name is Crisita Qualla. I am an Indigenous Yipali. Womano is honored to be here to speak to you and other indigenous brothers and sisters with the help of ISHR. I speak from the heart of Pogara Red Wara River Women's Association from the gold mining affected local communities in the Pogara district of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. Our message to this panel is simple. A just transition to sustainable energy must not become a form of green colonialism on our lands. For three decades of defiantly overlooked grievances, we have lived with the devastating impacts of mining. We have watched our sacred river turn red with toxic waste. Our people kill each other fighting over land, and our communities suffer gross human rights violation and environment degradation issues. This experience has taught us that any development is only just if it is led by us. Our customary land rights are our lifeblood. We demand that any new project, from renewable energy to mineral extraction, be subject to our be prior informed consent. This means genuine partnership, co-ownership, and benefit sharing, not just consultation. Our traditional knowledge is essential for protecting our land and biodiversity, and it must be at the core of all planning. A truly just transition will recognize us as equal partners and leaders for the sustainable future, not as victims of exploitation. To the panel, which measures should be taken to protect indigenous peoples and defenders who are at the forefront of this context? Thank you, Madam Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [1:08:10]: Thank Thank you. I give the floor to China Ethnic Minorities Association for External Exchanges. China [1:08:19]: Madam President, distinguished panelists, I would like to share some insights in safeguarding. Human rights through the concept of sustainable development. Due to different national realities, China does not have indigenous peoples, but we strongly support the. Promotion and protection of the fundamental human rights of the indigenous peoples. China is a unified multi-ethnic country with 55 ethnic minorities in addition to the Han majority. Ethnic minority areas in China are rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, and green energy. This year marks the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the Xizang Autonomous Region, and over the past six decades, power supply in Xizang has transitioned from relying on the butter lamps to achieving clean energy, thanks to the geothermal power stations and the development of hydropower. Household appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, and. Washing machines have become commonplace, reducing the common domestic burdens of the farmers and herders. Electric blenders have also replaced the traditional manual methods of churning butter tea, not only liberating labor but also. Freeing women from the repetitive physical work. In 2024, clean energy accounted for over 99% of Xizang's electricity generation. Xizang strictly implements ecological and environmental zoning control measures, firmly prohibiting projects with polluting characteristics, while. Adhering to green and low carbon development, Xizang ensures the fundamental rights of all ethnic groups. Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [1:09:50]: Thank you. I give the floor to Papa Giovanni 23. Speaker 46 [1:09:56]: For realizing a just energy transition, it is imperative to avoid repeating the injustice perpetrated for decades by the energy sector through extractive practice. As NGO on the front line, we witness the suffering of communities negatively impacted by the unfair development models, which, in the name of a needed transition, destroyed environment, harm biodiversity, and enrich inequalities. Among them, the Mapuche people in Chile struggle to protect their lands from harmful business venture and large-scale hydropower projects that threaten the environment and disrupt their connection to nature. Mapuche communities do not benefit from the exploitation of the natural resources, but only suffer the consequences of such unfair development models based on large energy infrastructural projects often realized without any community participation in the decision-making process. Indeed, the production of renewable energy through dams and hydro plants has adversely impacted different Mapuche communities, endangering ancestral lands, culture, and spirituality. In addition, several Mapuche activists are criminalized for dissenting their territories and the traditional way of living. Realizing a just energy transition means stopping the imposition of disproportionate costs on indigenous peoples who have already suffered abuses without any remedy. In this regard, full implementing the right to development and its principle of meaningful participation and sovereignty over natural resources could part the way to preventing further abuses and realizing a more equitable benefit sharing. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:11:26]: Thank you. I give the floor to International Committee for the Indigenous Peoples of Americas. Speaker 48 [1:11:37]: The United States speaks of its commitment to indigenous peoples and human rights. However, we have multiple testimonies of systematic human rights violations and abuses against indigenous peoples and starkly contradict this commitment. We have documented multiple cases of arbitrary detention of individuals based on solely on skin color, accent, and or attire. These are clear violations of articles 3, 7, and 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and Article 1736 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These are also direct violations of the 1967 Refugee Protocol, to which the U.S. is a signatory. Indigenous mothers and children have been separated and held in cages with little to no access to water, medical attention, or legal counsel. This is a violation of Articles 3, 9, and 10 and 37 of Convention of the Rights of the Child, and Articles 8, 21, and 22 of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We call upon the Council to urgently. Demand that the United States end these practices of immigration enforcement on people of color, uphold the right to due process for everyone, and comply with international human rights laws. This is presented on behalf of. Donat Yera, an embassy of indigenous peoples that operates within Turtle Island, also known as the United States. HRC · Vice-President [1:13:11]: Thank you. I give the floor to Geneva for Human Rights. Speaker 50 [1:13:23]: Thank you. Transition can only be right if it puts right the wrongs of the past. We see a violation of the rights of self-determination, and there is a rise in the need for minerals. There are obligations, not options. We call on states to open diplomatic spaces. There must be representation of Indigenous peoples, formal seats, otherwise there will be no representation. Women have traditional knowledge, and excluding them is something that jeopardizes sustainability. We have to think about NHRIs and regional powers. We have to think about responsibility and reparation. On reparation, there must be a priority on decisions, and there must be authority over lands and resources by indigenous peoples. and there must be financing conditional on the respect for indigenous peoples' rights and the sharing of profits. And NHRIs must be given the resources so they can monitor the situation. Just a transition can only be right if it is focused on self-determination and clean energy can then mean justice, dignity, and life. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:14:56]: We have exhausted the first segment of the list of speakers. Proceeding to the second segment of the list of speakers, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia. Armenia [1:15:12]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. Armenia thanks the panelists for their contributions. Armenia has been among the countries supporting UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and remains committed to its principles. We would like to underline the vital link between indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation. Indigenous peoples are stewards of ecosystems rich in biological and cultural diversity. Digital tools can support the mapping and protection of traditional knowledge, strengthen environmental monitoring, and facilitate partnerships in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Armenia reiterates its support for the full realization of the rights of indigenous peoples and encourages continued dialogue on harnessing technology in ways that centers indigenous agency, safeguards cultural identity, and promotes justice and inclusion for indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:16:14]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain. Spain [1:16:21]: Thank you, Vice President. Spain aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union. We thank the panellists for their presentations, which give us an idea of the challenges faced by indigenous peoples given this worsening climate change crisis. And this threatens the survival of their traditional lands, also beset by aggressive extractions. We have to think about the exploitation of indigenous lands and reflect more on maintaining resources. We must also preserve their world vision. Spanish cooperation for 30 years has been supporting and promoting the rights of indigenous peoples. We have an indigenous program. This defends the rights of indigenous peoples to decide on matters that affect them, for example, their ancestral land. We have mechanisms for free, informed prior consent, and this is one of the approaches Spain has in this sector. We want to strengthen capacities to face climate change. challenges. And we want to make sure that we make the most of their agricultural and medical practices. Many defenders are representatives of indigenous peoples, and we would want to enhance the role of indigenous women as well. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:17:57]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Marshall Islands. Marshall Islands [1:18:03]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Republic of the Marshall Islands welcomes this annual discussion and thanks the panelists for their insights. My country knows only too well how energy systems can threaten the rights of indigenous peoples and exacerbate injustice. Indigenous Marshallese communities are responsible for a tiny fraction of greenhouse gas emissions, but are being hit first and hardest by the impacts of climate change caused by the continued use of fossil fuels. Indeed, indigenous people are often among the first to face the direct consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. A rapid transition of our energy system away from fossil fuels is imperative to protect their rights. It is vital, however, that this transition avoids replicating past injustices, and in particular, that is carried out in a way that safeguards indigenous people's rights to self-determination, sovereignty over natural resources, and free, prior, and informed consent. Last month, we welcomed the synthesis report of the Secretary General on the topic of a just transition. We fully support its conclusion that if designed equitably, clean energy transitions can create decent jobs and reduce energy insecurity, local air pollution, and environmental injustice. We urge all countries to move rapidly forward with this energy transition, taking a human rights-centered approach that prioritizes planetary and human well-being in doing so. And I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:19:28]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. China [1:19:34]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. China welcomes this panel discussion focusing on the development of renewable sources of energy. And the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples emphasize the need to promote and respect the right of indigenous peoples to land, territories, and resources. Because of racism and colonialism, indigenous peoples have long suffered from the structural discrimination and marginalization politically, economically, and socially. The international community should jointly. Oppose the practices involving the plundering of resources, damaging environment, and violating the human rights of indigenous peoples, in line with the inclusive, fair, and non-discriminatory policy which will ensure the rights and freedom of the indigenous peoples and allow them to share the benefits of development. We'd like to call on those countries concerned to have a hard look at their violations of the indigenous peoples' rights. at home and abroad, address the toxic legacy of colonialism and shoulder their historic responsibilities. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:20:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Rwanda. Rwanda. Is Rwanda absent? I will now turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non-government organizations. I give the floor to Frontline, the International Foundation of the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Soy Maria. Guatemala [1:21:37]: My name is Maria Calchon from Guatemala. Thank you very much for giving me the floor, Vice-President. As a woman representative of the Maya K'iche' people, I've seen firsthand how our collective rights to autonomy and self-determination are not respected. These are rights recognized by international instruments, including ILO Convention 169. And we see this particularly in extractive projects such as the Alta Verapaz project in Guatemala. Instead of good faith consultations, we had a situation where communities said a clear no to the project, and the project was imposed by the government without this free, prior and informed consent. It's a project which is destroying our Mother Earth, polluting and worsening the situation of our Kowabon River. All of our resources are sacred, water, earth, the forest and life itself. Many of these projects involve forced evictions from our ancestral land, and we see a context of criminalization and arbitrary detentions against defenders of our land, of our rivers and our life. Self-determination is not a favor that is done to us. It is a right, and we will continue to raise our voice until this right is respected. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:23:07]: Thank you. I give the floor to International Service for Human Rights. CIMI [1:23:19]: Is my name. For me, a transition to a fair, sustainable economy will only be fair if we, indigenous peoples, lie at the heart of it. We are the guardians of our forests. But in fact, all these so-called green projects exclude us. We can see injustice when hydroelectric, coal mining, companies or dams invade our land without consultation. They threaten our culture and our rivers. We don't want to see victims of transition. We are partners and leaders. Our thousand-year experience teaches us to care for the land, but we need our land rights to be recognized for this to be so. The demarcation of our lands is the most powerful tool against deforestation. We want sustainable leadership initiatives such as forestry management and ecotourism. A just transition can only be built with us by respecting our voice and our rights to decide over the future of our territories. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:24:45]: Thank you. I would like to note that the last speaker was from Concello, in Genista, Missionario, CIMI. I would like to call upon India Water Foundation. Absent, I would like to call upon Rajasthan Samagra Kalyan Sansthan. India [1:25:16]: Thank you, Mr. President. I take the floor to state that the voices of Indigenous Peoples must be at the heart of any just transition to sustainable energy. The world urgently needs clean and renewable energy. The rush for critical minerals for renewables is driving massive extraction projects onto Indigenous lands without their prior and informed consent. This violates their rights, destroys sacred sites, and poisons their water. It is a profound injustice. Communities least responsible for the climate crisis are being sacrificed for its solution. We call on Council and all member states to first guarantee consent. EPIC is not just a checkbox. It is a fundamental right. No projects should be processed without it. Second, share benefit fairly. Indigenous communities must be equity partners, not just stakeholders, sharing in the prosperity generated from their territories. And third, Respect indigenous knowledge, their wisdom as guardians of nature is invaluable. They must be leaders in designing and governing sustainable energy system. Mr. President, a future built on the violation of right is not sustainable. True sustainability harmonizes clean energy with the rights of those who have been the original custodians of our earth. We thank you, may all live happily. HRC · Vice-President [1:26:39]: Thank you. I call on Xiangxi Patriotic Volunteer Association. China [1:26:50]: President, delegates, Patriotism should not be at the expense of other countries. The rights of indigenous people must be respected. However, in Palestine, the indigenous Palestinian people have long suffered persecution. Backed unconditionally by the U.S., Israel has carried out a military occupation and settlement expansion, continuously encroaching on Palestinian land. Since 1948, millions of Palestinians have lost their homes, become refugees, and been deprived of the basic rights to survival and development. This is a grave violation of fundamental human rights. Israel blockade And restriction along with bombardment with schools, hospitals, and cultural institutions have led to gradual disappearance of Palestinian traditional arts, the right to cultural expression has been stripped away. The U.S. has long provided Israel with military and economic support, repeatedly used its veto power at the Security Council to obstruct the peace process, interfered in internal affairs, depriving Palestinians of their right to self-determination. While claiming to defend human rights, the U.S. has in fact become an accomplice in the violations. We strongly condemn the acts of the U.S., calling on it to cease its support for Israel and promote peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel. We also urge the international community to pay attention to the Palestinian issue, provide assistance to Palestine, help it to rebuild homes and revive its culture. Let us take the protection of ethnic rights as an opportunity to oppose U.S. hegemony. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:28:22]: Floor to a joint statement by Cultural Association of Tamil in France. Absent. I give the floor to Images for Inclusion. Chile [1:28:38]: On behalf of our organization, Images for Inclusion, and as a Mapuche woman, I welcome this panel. We are gravely concerned to the violation of the Indigenous peoples' human rights in Chile, particularly in the context of the extractive industry. Chile recognizes free, prior, informed consent for the Indigenous peoples, which is crucial for a fair transition. The 1966 supreme decree is problematic, because it undermines that right. It establishes that the consultation can be initiated and completed, including if it does not have an agreement or consent. That is a grave concern in the context of critical minerals such as lithium. consultations must be carried out. They cannot be unilateral. Thus, there needs to be a new system for the Mapuche lands, including the capacity to be included in decision-making. We urge the Council to call on Chile to amend the Supreme Decree 66 and see prior informed consent as a legal prerequisite. It is the only way to guarantee a fair, equitable transition with the protection of the fundamental rights of the Indigenous peoples. HRC · Vice-President [1:30:13]: We have exhausted the second segment of the list of speakers. Excellencies, distinguished participants, I will now give the floor back to the panellists for their concluding remarks. You have three minutes each. I give the floor to Ms. Anaxa Alfred Cunningham. EMRIP · Chair [1:30:37]: Thank you. At the outset, I want to point to something that was in my previous statement, the International Agency for Renewable Energy felt That's, um, 54%, I had said 24%, but it's 54% of reserves are indigenous lands, crucial minimal reserves. so we must recognise the crucial role of women and girls from the indigenous peoples. A fair transition is only possible if a full and effective participation is guaranteed. They need to be able to participate in decisions on extraction and on sustainable development. On the questions from Finland and others, There are two interesting cases of practices. Firstly, the Tanja Nation in the north of British Columbia, and in the west of Canada, has its own protocol for prior informed consent for mining in its territory, including women, young people, and older persons. and the nation signed binding agreements with the government on how to carry out mining in its territory. Mining was accepted, but only if it respected their rights. A second case, this was 2024, recognized before the Canadian courts, the K'ebuske First Nation. This was connected with nuclear laboratories. It was found that negotiations must be renewed for free, prior and informed consent, and that women, young people and older persons must have significant participation in that. Those are two examples of good practice that can be drawn upon. In conclusion, the expert mechanism reiterates that full respect of the rights of the indigenous peoples must be a guiding principle in all activities related to extraction of natural resources and the energy transition. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a clear, robust framework that must be fully recognised and applied effectively. Self-determination, identity and the right to participate in decision making are fundamental rights. which must be guaranteed by states and respected by all stakeholders, including the private sector. EMRIP has been clear in pointing out that a fair transition needs the active participation and the free, prior and informed consent of all the indigenous peoples. It needs to be inclusive, fair and respectful of development models and traditional knowledge and ways of life. We urge all states, businesses and international bodies to take this commitment seriously. Climate and environmental justice cannot be disconnected from social justice and human rights. That is the only way that we can make progress towards a truly sustainable future where the rights of the indigenous peoples are not only recognized, but truly promoted actively. HRC · Vice-President [1:34:11]: Thank you. I give the floor to Ms. Sara Alzwick. Chair [1:34:17]: Go ahead now. On the questions related to women and access to participation, I want to echo what was just said, but also refer to the CEDAW General Recommendation 39, which includes important recommendations specific to the rights of Indigenous women and girls, also in terms of extractive industries. And also in saying that, I want to highlight that in many Indigenous peoples' communities, Women are taking leadership and are taking also some of the Western scientific educations to address extractive industries, my homeland, Galaxnet, one of the examples is the first mining engineer being, uh, an indigenous woman. So I think that we have to ensure that, of course, we continue addressing the inequities and systemic discrimination of Indigenous women across different industries, and especially in the extractive industries when it comes to camps and sites where extractive industries are taking place. We continue to see extremely worrying cases of violations against women's rights in such cases. I do want to highlight a few examples of how legislation can be formed to ensure processes that also speak to the benefit sharing. In Canada and also in Greenland, there are arrangements for impact benefit agreements, in Canada specific to Indigenous peoples, Inuit impact benefit agreements. In Gullashikunat, these agreements are trilateral agreements between the community through the municipal council, the government, and the business in the specific case of a possible extractive industry or an extractive industry. There are some lacks in terms of following up on these impact benefit agreements, and also they need a mechanism to ensure that the agreed upon benefits are actually implemented. Also, uh, in introducing social impact assessments as, uh, an addition to the environmental impact assessments are extremely important and they are also seen many places. There were some questions that related to local communities, and I want to highlight and make very clear that we need to end the conflation of Indigenous Peoples with local communities. There's a specific issue when it comes to extractive industries, that when Indigenous Peoples are not in their own right, with their collective rights as peoples, the ones who are taking the decisions through free, prior and informed consent, or by exercising the right of self-determination to simply say no to a project. That is the core. It cannot be replaced by another local government that is not Indigenous. And that needs to be implemented, especially in the extractive industries. The right to say no is a good example to look at. There are projects where Indigenous peoples have said no. And that is a very fundamental core in the question of, uh, of extractive industries. Finally, Madam Chair, I want to highlight also the geopolitical pressures that are today putting extra pressure to those indigenous peoples whose land hold the minerals. where big entities, intergovernmental institutions, and EU included, come into those lands and do push for starting up extractive industries because it is within their own jurisdictions or within their own sort of regional premises. And that needs to be top of mind for-- Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:38:06]: I give the floor to Mr. Sankar Limboo. Secretary [1:38:14]: Thank you very much. I guess the best example we have today, having a dialogue very openly with the government and indigenous peoples and other organizations working for indigenous peoples. I see there is no differences, and I guess this is the best practice. It has to be translated to the national level to the community level. One of the challenges that we have been talking about here is very simple. Government stays in the capital. Indigenous peoples, they are staying in a rural area. Government doesn't go to the communities, and communities, the Indigenous peoples, they don't have the ways and means to come to the capital. So the most of the decisions about these whole things, it is done in the capital. That's the problem. So that's why every decision that affects to the indigenous peoples in terms of that clean energy, and then that has to be start from the bottom. And so it has to be discussed in the community. I guess that's the one thing. We talk about how we can ensure the indigenous women participation in the decision making. In our own experience, when we only talked in the constitutions or laws about the women, indigenous women are excluded. So the indigenous women, they should be recognized legally in every decision making policies and then in the practice as well. And the third one, Of course, these all extractive industries and hydro projects, it's funded by international financial institutions. They do have a safeguard policy, but it's not being implemented. They have a leverage. They can facilitate government to ensure the indigenous people's right that duly respected, including implementation of UNDRIP and Convention 169. Often they say that we rely on the the national laws and policies, we rely on the national government. Well, that's their commitment. That's their money also creating the problems. So last, the role of the judiciaries and the court can facilitate that how these international laws, including UNDRIP, Convention 169, even FPIC, And then another thing is that the indigenous peoples, they have their own justice system. They have their own decision-making process and own decision-making institution. That has to be recognized. And then they will bring their real issue. And then the every problems that what we have been talking here and in the national level and community level, that can be resolved amicably. Thank you, Madam Chair. HRC · Vice-President [1:41:16]: Thank you. I give the floor to Ms. Joenia Papichana. FUNAI · President [1:41:27]: The first thing, we are committed to ensuring to give the guarantees for Indigenous people, the land. And the indigenous people may live well in their territory, in harmony with nature, if they fully respect their rights and their dignity. So you need to think about some strategy for indigenous rights and policies. and to advise in the demarcation and protection of the Indigenous land to support the development and implementation of the Indigenous environmental and territorial management plans, and to ensure specific action to strong the leadership and the participation for Indigenous women in all this process. So after, we need to think about to guarantee the FPIC and support the indigenous people and then organization to participate in the all discussion in UN and different forum, in different debates. So you need to guarantee a full and effective participation for the discussion. And Brazil, it is minor activities, is no, um, uh, regulation, but have, uh, experience who give a lot of, uh, violence and abuse for indigenous people. as indigenous Yanomami in Roraima state. But it is illegal activity now, but you need to plan to prepare it because the national constitution prevent the country regulate in future. It is time to preparing, to prepare indigenous people to give the opportunity to debates and effort, give the rights and improve participation, improve the policy to not repeat again when pass in the colonization process in past. So the women have the special knowledge. The women have a special vision about the generation. And the women have capacity to be in front of this process. They give the contribution. for the all world for see the impact for human rights and for children and for all indigenous population. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:44:29]: Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished participants, this brings us to the end of this annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples. I wish to thank the Deputy High Commissioner, our distinguished panelists and all the participants who have contributed to our discussion. We will now take a short break before resuming the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we will continue the interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We continue with the list of speakers. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal. Nepal [1:47:10]: Madam Vice-President, Nepal thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting the report. The Constitution of Nepal recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples and indigenous nationalities, guaranteeing their representation and participation in decision-making bodies. In Nepal, prevailing law provides proportional representation of indigenous peoples through reservation in political bodies, civilian administration, and armed forces. In addition, a dedicated constitutional body, Indigenous Nationalities Commission, has been in operation with the mandate of protecting and promoting the rights and interests of indigenous nationalities in the country. Likewise, the National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities coordinates various programs aimed at empowering indigenous nationalities. Madam Vice-President, Nepal is a State Party to the ILO Convention No. 169, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989. In closing, we would like to hear from the Special Rapporteur how we can promote recognition of the indigenous peoples and create an environment for wider appreciation and respect for their rights. We wish the Special Rapporteur all success in discharging his mandate. I thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [1:48:43]: Thank you. Could I have silence in the hall, please? I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Plurinational State of Bolivia. We continue. Bolivia? Is Bolivia absent? No, no, no. Bolivia (Plurinational State of) [1:49:26]: Gracias, Vice President. Thank you, Vice President. We welcome the report, and the indigenous peoples welcome the recognition. There needs to be a systematic analysis regarding constitutional recognition. This requires application of recognition. We fully agree that the expression "indigenous peoples" does not seek to give an advantage to some groups over others, nor is it a symbolic act, but rather a framework in international law through which States accept, validate and provide legal, individual and collective effects to the recommendation. in through recommendation and binding ones. The expression indigenous peoples is a definition of human rights designed to remedy historic injustices, specific injustices in order to reconcile indigenous peoples with the state and provide new alliances based on trust and rights. We note the recommendation true, which the expression local communities, while not recognised as a human rights concept, continues to be a concept of internal law, which is distinct from the human rights concept applicable to the indigenous peoples. We reaffirm our commitment and our support to the rapporteur. HRC · Vice-President [1:51:02]: I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia. Australia [1:51:08]: Vice-President, I acknowledge Indigenous peoples joining us today and pay my respects to you, your Elders, past, present and emerging. Australia welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on recognition of Indigenous peoples worldwide. Australia also welcomes a proposed visit by the Special Rapporteur to Australia in 2026. Vice-President, The Australian government does not impose its own criteria for Indigenous status, but instead relies on the three-part test, which requires that a person is: 1. of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; 2. identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; 3. is recognised or accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the community in which they live or have previously lived. Australia understands recognition must be granted in the perspectives and practices of Indigenous peoples themselves, while respecting their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and right to self-determination. how can recognition of Indigenous peoples enhance their full and effective participation in decision-making? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:52:21]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of UNICEF. UNICEF [1:52:27]: Mr. President, UNICEF welcomes the report of the Special. Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and strongly supports its recommendations. We echo the call to recognize Indigenous peoples, including Indigenous children, as rights holders with distinct. Rights under international human rights law. Notably the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We remain deeply committed to advancing the rights of Indigenous children through global programming. We recognize the persistent violations of their rights. And the systemic barriers they face, including racial discrimination, exclusion from quality education, limited access to health services, and disproportionate exposure to environmental harm. These overlapping barriers compound poverty and exclusion, undermining the full scope of their rights. Across the world, UNICEF works to advance these rights by addressing the root causes of discrimination, promoting meaningful and safe participation, and empowering Indigenous children and their communities to claim and exercise their rights. We also support States in upholding their obligations under international human rights frameworks. We urge all states to legally recognize Indigenous Peoples as distinct rights holders, to explicitly protect their rights in legislation, and to incorporate UNDRIP into domestic legal and policy frameworks in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples. UNICEF remains deeply committed to working with Indigenous children and communities as rights holders and reiterates our readiness to support states in ensuring these rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:53:57]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burundi. Burundi [1:54:05]: Thank you, Vice-President. In Burundi, the rights of the indigenous peoples, commonly called the Batwa, are recognized by our constitution as an ethnic group who are covered by the non-discrimination policy. The Batwa community is represented in all institutions, including government, parliament and other state institutions, in keeping with the law. Without seeking to be comprehensive, there are various actions to promote the rights of indigenous peoples carried out by the government, namely: operationalisation of the national strategy for reintegration of victims of incidents and socio-economic integration of the Batwa; sickness insurance cards and free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five; free school attendance for Batwa children in basic schools; and total coverage in secondary residential schools, as well as bursaries for those who go to university. We are promoting birth registration and legal marriage celebration for Batwa families, and the provision of land and construction of decent homes to encourage settlement. Every year, our Government organises and celebrates the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, and this is a time to celebrate the Batwa community and share their culture. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:55:29]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia. Zambia [1:55:37]: Madam Vice-President, Zambia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his important report. We note with concern that nearly two decades after the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognition remains inconsistent. Too often, indigenous people are not distinguished from local communities, and their distinct rights are overlooked. We believe that full recognition is not only a legal obligation, but also a moral imperative. It is key to ensuring dignity, equality, and meaningful participation for indigenous people everywhere. When recognition is absent, rights are weakened, identities are denied, and communities are left behind in development. Zambia calls on all States to take concrete steps to enshrine recognition in law and policy in close consultation with Indigenous Peoples themselves. This is essential for advancing inclusion, protecting cultural heritage and advancing and achieving the SDGs. In conclusion, Zambia stands ready to support collective efforts within this Council to turn recognition into reality so as to achieve full dignity and human rights for all. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:56:52]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Malaysia. Malaysia [1:56:58]: Thank you, Madam President. Malaysia reaffirms that the recognition of indigenous people should remain central in national development. In line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, their land, culture, and participation rights must be safeguarded. Malaysia's federal constitution and state laws provide special protection for the indigenous communities in Malaysia. To strengthen this, Malaysia is developing a new indigenous people's development policy, which embraces free, prior and informed consent. The policy also aims to enhance protection in land, education, health and livelihoods. Vigorous indigenous participation is also reflected in Malaysia's executive, legislative, and judiciary bodies, including at leadership levels. Indigenous peoples have long served as ministers, state assembly speakers, and federal court judges, and their voices have helped shape national policies. Under the Madani vision and the 13 Malaysia plan, inclusive development for indigenous communities remains a priority. Targeted funding and investment in infrastructure, digital connectivity and entrepreneurship continue to uplift indigenous communities. Madam Vice President, Malaysia remains committed to ensuring indigenous people are recognized as equal partners in all aspects of sustainable national development. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:58:13]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Rwanda. Is Rwanda absent? It seems so. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay. Paraguay [1:58:37]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. We wish to thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and his approach on indigenous peoples. ensuring that the principle of self-determination lies at the heart of his approach, as well as the need to clearly distinguish between indigenous peoples and local communities. In Paraguay, indigenous peoples have been constitutionally recognised as communities that have cultures prior to the establishment of the state of Paraguay, and they have guarantees to preserve and develop their ethnic identity in the environment that they belong to. This recognition is not just limited to identity; it also includes the right to organise politically, socially, economically, culturally and in terms of religion. In the case of a conflict of jurisdictions, we bear in mind indigenous customary law as part of our legal pluralism. The constitution recognises that indigenous peoples have the right to community property of their land and the development of their forms of life. We agree with the rapporteur that this recognition must be translated into specific measures that guarantee land, territories, culture, participation and non-discrimination, avoiding backsliding in the rights that have already been achieved. Paraguay restates its commitment to continue progressing in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:00:03]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya. Kenya [2:00:09]: Madam Vice-President, Kenya thanks the Special Rapporteur for this insightful report, which provides a comprehensive overview and practical recommendations for States' consideration, drawing attention to the complex challenges surrounding the recognition and protection of indigenous people, and highlighting challenges faced in clarifying the definition of indigenous peoples within national and regional contexts, as well as the critical human rights obligations of States under international law. Kenya's commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous people is firmly anchored in the Constitution of Kenya, which recognizes the existence and rights of marginalized and indigenous communities, both in its definition and substantive provisions. Under Article 260, and as highlighted in the Special Rapporteur's report, marginalized communities include indigenous communities who have preserved a traditional lifestyle or livelihood and who, owing to their distinctive cultural identity, have been on the periphery of the nation's integrated social and economic life. In light of Kenya's multifaceted reality, which includes balancing communal rights, environmental sustainability, and national development priorities, we would appreciate the Special Rapporteur's recommendation on specifically what practical measures should be prioritized to reconcile indigenous claims with broader socioeconomic and environmental policy goals so as to advance rights without fostering division or conflict. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:01:32]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan. Sudan [2:01:38]: Uh, thank you, Madam Vice Chair. We took note of the report on the recognition of the in- uh, Indigenous Peoples and its recommendations. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his observations. The report mentioned a few important topics pertaining to indigenous peoples, including the legal definition of this group of people and the relationship between local societies and indigenous peoples, and whether this will lead to further division between the components or giving priority to the rights of one group at the expense of the other. All these questions legitimate when we discuss indigenous peoples from a legal perspective. It is important to continue this dialogue and interaction in order to remove any ambiguity. Sudan is among the countries that supported UNDRIP in 2007. Our constitution clearly protects the rights of indigenous communities to have their own cultural identity and to raise their children on their customs and tradition. Thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:02:59]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia. Armenia [2:03:06]: President, we would like to thank Special Rapporteur for his report. Armenia attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in line with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We emphasize the importance of preserving and protecting the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, including their language, traditions, and cultural sites. The cultural heritage of indigenous peoples constitutes a shared heritage worldwide, which must be preserved for present and future generations. Its loss or destruction undermines the integrity of indigenous communities and the global cultural diversity. We commend the work of the ASR and underscore the importance of its mandate in amplifying indigenous voices. We remain concerned by ongoing patterns of discrimination and marginalization of indigenous communities. We would like to emphasize that international cooperation is critical for safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples. We reiterate our commitment to constructive dialogue and multilateral engagement in support of Indigenous rights. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:04:15]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Colombia. Colombia [2:04:23]: Madam Vice-President, Colombia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report, and we urge everyone to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples, including those that are in isolation or have had no contact, who are also rights holders. They are stewards of very ancient knowledge of biodiversity and of the living memory of our nations. Their full, effective participation is essential to tackle climate change, to achieve the SDGs, and to build societies that are fairer and more resilient. Colombia is promoting a protocol which guarantees such participation in our international agenda. We have mechanisms for follow-up, sustainability and respect for the principles of self-determination, and we have protection for peoples that have not been contacted. We support a differentiated status for indigenous peoples in multilateral instances, which is different to that of civil society organizations, something which recognizes their specific collective rights. During our presidency of the Andean Community, indigenous peoples lay at the very heart of our regional agenda of peace, biodiversity, cultural diversity, and sustainability. Today, we restate our commitment to work together with indigenous peoples to bring about an international system which is more inclusive, fair, and respectful of cultural diversity and human rights. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:05:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Togo. Togo [2:05:52]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. Togo thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, my country wishes to restate the great importance of this historic text, which is an essential framework for the protection of fundamental rights, the promotion of justice and the strengthening of a partnership between States and indigenous peoples. We note with interest the rapporteur's observations on persistent misunderstandings that in certain regions still stand in the way of full recognition of indigenous peoples. It's also important to remember that this recognition should not be seen as a division, but rather as a human rights requirement and as something which is essential to building more inclusive and peaceful societies. My country, welcomes the key role played by the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights and by the African Court that have contributed to shed light or to broaden African understanding of the concepts of indigenous peoples and to promote a progressive case law in this area. We restate our firm commitment to the principles of equality, non-discrimination and social justice. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:07:18]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [2:07:26]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report, which recognizes indigenous peoples and their importance, and we state that article 119 of our constitution recognises the existence of indigenous communities and peoples, their social organisation, their policies, economies, culture, use and customs. It is essential for all of those to be protected to guarantee their lives. That provision is added to the organic law of the homeland and the law on peoples and indigenous communities. There are 10 articles which tackle the issue of recognition, definitions, participation in public policies and affairs, and the training of state officials. Special Rapporteur, the imposition of unilateral coercive measures has a negative impact on the human rights of millions of peoples. We would like to ask you whether in your report you've considered an analysis aiming to determine the negative impact of these illegal measures on indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:08:43]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. China [2:08:49]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Chinese delegation has taken note of the SRS report. The UNDRIP marks a historic step in recognizing Indigenous peoples as a subject of international law, while also representing significant progress in the promotion and protection of their rights. Building on the acknowledgment of the historical injustice inflicted upon indigenous peoples, the UNDRIP reaffirms that all states have an obligation to recognize them as holders of various rights, including the right to self-determination. Historically, some countries, including the U.S., have committed heinous crimes, such as genocide against indigenous peoples. At this year's Permanent Forum, many participants criticized the new U.S. administration's policies on climate change tariffs and unilateral measures, noting their serious negative impacts on indigenous peoples, both domestically and worldwide. China believes that countries with indigenous populations, particularly developed countries, should demonstrate political will and take concrete actions to ensure that indigenous peoples can share the benefits of socioeconomic development to improve their access to employment, education, and healthcare, and to protect all their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to subsistence and development. Thank you, Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [2:10:10]: to the distinguished representative of Egypt. Egypt [2:10:16]: Thank you, Madam Vice-President. My delegation welcomes the Special Rapporteur. And we concur with his report, which says that recognition of indigenous peoples is a basic pillar to recognizing their rights. And this will definitely enrich societies. We concur also that the UNDRIP is the primary reference in this matter. And we recall its clear stipulation that the rights set forth therein may not be interpreted or exercised in a manner that undermines the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political unity of states. It is important not to mix between minorities, local communities, and indigenous peoples, and we need to find a solution to the historical injustices that have been leveled to the indigenous peoples. We reiterate the importance of achieving a balanced understanding of indigenous peoples' specificities based on respecting the local specificities of countries and respecting the rights of all. Thank you, Madam Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:11:38]: Thank you. We now turn to the list of speakers for National Human Rights Institutions. I call on Burundi National Human Rights Institution. Burundi [2:11:51]: Madame Vice President, in order to integrate the into development projects and to promote economic and cultural rights, we have put in place a project providing social networks. However, we know that the Batoir have some problems in terms of accessing certain rights, notably the access to documents. Despite efforts that the state has made to promote the rights of the Batwa people, our organisation notes that there are still certain difficulties, notably in access to land and the right to education, especially following early marriages and school dropouts, et cetera. Our Commission encourages the State of Burundi to ensure that sufficient funds are available for their national strategy for the socioeconomic reintegration of vulnerable groups, especially the Batwa. Furthermore, our organization recommends that the State undertake awareness-raising campaigns and educational campaigns for the Batwa in order to properly consider self-determination. This stands in the way to them enjoying their rights and fundamental freedoms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:13:25]: I give the floor to Ukraine Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. Ukraine [2:13:31]: Dear Special Reporter, Since 2014, Russia has been violating the rights of indigenous peoples and national minorities in Ukraine. These violations include the right to life, respect for dignity, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Russian forces illegally abduct and imprison representatives of indigenous peoples and national minorities in the tot of Ukraine. More than 220 Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are unlawfully detained in Crimea. The aggressor state also violates citizens' religious rights, deliberately targeting religious sites. Over 660 such buildings have been destroyed or damaged. These figures are not exact, as we do not have access to the temporarily occupied territories. Just recently, on July 31, A Russian missile strike on Kyiv damaged the main mosque of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, UMA, and the building of the Islamic Cultural Center. I call on the international community to formally condemn the attacks on religious sites, to demand that Russia immediately stop the persecution of residents in the occupied territories based on their ethnicity and religion, to unite efforts to end Russia's aggression and bring those responsible to justice. Thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [2:15:01]: Thank you. I give the floor to Colombia National Human Rights Institution by video. Colombia [2:15:11]: If you count people poorly, you exclude them. If you count them well, you recognize them because figures are not neutral. If a state rigorously, respectfully identifies indigenous peoples, it makes their rights achievable. The right to recognition requires for censuses and registers be governed by self-identification that use the clear technical standards and ensure that indigenous organizations participate. Colombia has a recent example here. Our recent census led to debates because of statistical discrimination. This invisibility is not abstract. It affects the allocation of resources, the putting in place of programs, institutional representation. This is why we set ourselves three challenges. First of all, we must have intercultural, co-designed intercultural registers with the participation of authorities, indigenous women, and young people. And secondly, we must have immediate, transparent post-census adjustment. There must be sub-registers where necessary, always with indigenous participation. Thirdly, we must have protection of indigenous data and principles of governance. We have to use categories that explicitly make visible the collective rights of our ethnic peoples. HRC · Vice-President [2:16:39]: We will now turn to the list of speakers of indigenous peoples. I give the floor to African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development. I give the floor to the Union of Indigenous Peoples by video. Speaker 116 [2:17:12]: Thank you. The Indigenous Peoples Mechanism of the United Nations has recommended mitigating the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the indigenous peoples and their sustainable development. We are concerned about the difficulty with access to medication and medical equipment, as well as green energy and other issues. That brings risks for biodiversity. The UCMs are preventing the indigenous peoples observing sectoral standards. And international cooperation is in difficulty with visas and financial barriers that prevent legitimate indigenous organizations participating in the Human Rights Council, in the Decade of Indigenous Peoples, and in the Rio Convention. A recent example is Germany not allowing an indigenous representative from Russia to a biodiversity convention? The rights of the indigenous peoples are not being observed. There have been studies on the impact of the UCMs on the indigenous peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:18:38]: Thank you. I give the floor to Koiba. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) · Lawyer [2:18:42]: Madam Vice President, I am an indigenous lawyer and a human rights defender from the Venezuelan Amazon. And the report indicates something important, the full recognition of indigenous peoples as rights holders. And this is essential to guarantee our existence and our dignity. And yet in Venezuela, we experience the opposite. The Constitution does recognize our rights, but Systematically, the state has not complied with them, and there are therefore ongoing violations. Our territories are occupied by unlawful mining projects, many of them promoted or authorized by the own government. So communities are displaced, the environment is degraded, and there is loss of life and repression. There is the criminalization of indigenous leaders, and we are defending our territory and raising our voice, and yet we are arbitrarily detained and harassed, especially in border areas where we have unlawful armed groups. The Special Rapporteur and the Council must therefore keep their focus on Venezuela and must monitor these violations, the impunity. Making someone invisible is also a violation because it aims to cancel the memory of our peoples and our very existence. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:20:09]: Thank you. I give the floor to Ontario Native Women's Association by video. ONWA [2:20:16]: Thank you, Chair. The Ontario Native Women's Association is here amplifying the collective voices of over 35 Indigenous women's agencies. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his commitment to ensuring our rights are upheld. We urge the Human Rights Council and member states to take two actions. First, ensure Indigenous women's enhanced participation and leadership in all decision-making at all levels. Indigenous women have always been leaders in our families, communities, and nations. While colonization disrupted our leadership, our right to leadership is inherent and must be upheld. This is affirmed by UNDRIP Article 18 and CEDAW General Recommendation No. 39. Yet states and systems often revert back to colonial approaches that only recognize structures they create. Secondly, ensure that Indigenous spaces and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur are maintained and resourced. Globally, we are facing Indigenous anti-rights rhetoric. Indigenous peoples' voices, solutions, and leadership are needed now more than ever. We urge states to be leaders in resourcing the United Nations, upholding their obligations, and prioritizing our leadership and safety. The liquidity crisis must not be used as an excuse to reduce or combine the mandates of the expert. Mechanism, the special rapporteur, the permanent forum, or the voluntary fund? These mandates are integral to the continued participation, leadership, and safety of Indigenous women and must be maintained. HRC · Vice-President [2:21:42]: Thank you. I give the floor to Bukidnon Tagalo Anum. Philippines [2:21:51]: Thank you, Madam Vice President, and I thank the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples for giving me this opportunity. Article 21 of the UNDRIP declares that indigenous peoples have the right without discrimination to the economic and social conditions. It further declared that states shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. In the Philippines, our constitution mandates that states shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 provides that the State shall ensure that members of the ICCs or IPs benefit on equal footing from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant to their members of the population. In order to actualize the avowed guarantee of equal footing in benefiting from rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant, it has been deemed necessary to create the so-called interfacing capability of indigenous cultural communities with the present mainstream legal systems. Under our laws, ICCs are not considered as juridical persons, hence the need for ICCs to have its indigenous political structures and indigenous peoples organization confirmed and registered with the state in order to acquire judicial or juridical personality. The United Nations Human Rights Council, in Resolution 57/15, highlights its mindfulness that indigenous peoples have faced significant barriers to the enjoyment of their rights, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions. It is my humble assertion that-- Thank you. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:23:27]: I give the floor to Project Cepik. Papua New Guinea [2:23:33]: Thank you, Madam President. Across Melanesia, the Pacific and Papua New Guinea, our rights as Indigenous Peoples have been violated on many occasions from destructive and exploitative development. Our forests stripped, oceans and rivers poisoned, cultures threatened as corporations and countries meddle with trade rules and laws given to us by colonizers. Of all these struggles, I bring one call from my home. It is the call to save the Sepik River. I am an Indigenous representative of the Sepik River here, supported by the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. I stand with Sukundumi, the spirit of river carrying the voices of my ancestors, unborn children, and more than 400,000 people of Sipik who depend on the river itself. The Sipik is not just water, it is our mother, our soul, and our lifeline. Yet the proposed Frida gold and copper mine threatens with plans to build one of the largest dams in the world's seismically active rainforest. A collapse would poison our water and destroy our food systems, erase our culture, our memory. This is not just an environmental threat, it is a human rights crisis. We refuse to become victims. We are in solidarity and we have rejected this mine openly, boldly, and are persistent with our resistance. The proposed Freedom Mine will never get a license, no free, prior, and informed consent, no legitimacy. Excellencies, we demand justice, condemn the Freedom Mine as a violation of human rights. Recognize the Sepik River as a living entity and urge UNESCO to protect it as a World Heritage site. Mandate special rapporteurs on environment, Indigenous peoples, and toxins to monitor the situation and report back to this Council. Support Indigenous-led stewardship, ensuring efforts are respected. HRC · Vice-President [2:25:15]: Thank you. I invite Durand. Burkina Faso · shepherds of Burkina Faso [2:25:17]: Thank you very much. On behalf of the shepherds of Burkina Faso, we believe that the recognition of indigenous peoples must be based on self-identification, based on article 33. Our nomad shepherds are not recognized and face serious human rights violations, notably enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, cattle seizure, and land dispossession. This community is experiencing a real extermination, genocide. On the 11th of March 2025, more than women, men and children were killed by the army and its militia. This is a massacre, and we've seen an increase in such events since the current regime has been in place. Special rapporteur, how can recognition frameworks be strengthened to protect indigenous communities because they are targeted by such genocide? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:26:29]: Thank you. I give the floor to Winam and Wintu tribe. United States of America · Legal advocate [2:26:37]: Thank you, distinguished rapporteur, colleagues, chair. I am speaking as legal advocate for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe and Chief Kayleen Sisk. The Winnemem Wintu Tribe is a nonfederally recognized indigenous people in the United States still living on traditional land and practicing traditional spiritual, matriarchal, and matrilineal leadership, working to bring back the sacred salmon. State recognition systems do not always cover the scope of all indigenous peoples. In the United States, there are over 400 indigenous peoples currently not federally recognized, and over 500 that are. We invite you to visit and analyze this situation. At the same time, while recognition is pivotal in many circumstances to the survival of an indigenous people in matters of total genocide or ongoing genocide, Recognition systems often come with strings attached that further cultural genocide and loss of traditional ways, leaderships, and systems. Distinguished rapporteur, we ask that you observe and engage in the work of the developing of the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations, and specifically in the context of recognition. We must ensure that the outcome is for the increased access and self-determination of indigenous peoples as own governments, each with own diverse customs, appointed representatives, leaderships, and systems as full and legal and political entities in the UN multilateralism. We also ask that you assist in the task of preventing and addressing reprisals. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:28:07]: Thank you. I give the floor to Crimean Tatar Youth Center by video. Ukraine [2:28:13]: English delegates. The report highlights global challenges for Indigenous Peoples, but concerns remain. Too often, the language used risks putting Indigenous Peoples on the same level as local communities. This is not just terminology. It weakens our distinct rights under international law. Recognition must rest on self-identification as Indigenous. State recognition may matter politically, but it cannot determine existence. Without this clarity, rights risk becoming conditional and uncertain. It is especially worrying that Ukraine was excluded from the paragraph on recognition of Indigenous Peoples in our region, despite the detailed submission by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. This omission is not technical; it undermines both the credibility and inclusiveness of the report. As this Council and the United Nations move forward with enhancing Indigenous participation, The path must be clear. Recognition should be principled, grounded in self-identification, and applied consistently across all regions. To truly strengthen the international human rights system, no Indigenous people should remain invisible, no matter how politically sensitive the situation may be. Thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [2:29:33]: Thank you. I give the floor to Malaita Provincial Youth Council. Solomon Islands [2:29:39]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. I speak as an indigenous youth from Malaita Province, Solomon Island, and on behalf of the Malaita Provincial Youth Council. I'm here as one of the grantees of the Voluntary Fund for the Indigenous People. For us, land and ocean are not just resources. They are life, identity, governance, and indigenous practice such as storytelling, hunting, cooking, and traditional justice guide our conflict resolution, leadership, and values. Protecting this practice means protecting our dignity and survival. This is in line with the human the council reaffirmation that indigenous people institution custom and legal system are essential for conflict resolution and peace building. Malaita, the province with the largest ocean area in the Solomon Islands, face urgent threats from seabed mining and illegal fishing which endangered both ecosystem and cultural survival. At the same time, indigenous youth face growing economic marginalization as foreign interests dominate local economics. If unchecked, by 2050, indigenous youth may no longer control the economic future. We recall that the council has urged state to recognize and promote indigenous people traditional economics and approach to ecosystem management. Indigenous education is essential. The Maitoro program which integrates indigenous land into high school and the T-Room project which empower youth through access to knowledge and dialogue. So the strength of indigenous-led solution. This is to reflect the council emphasis on intercultural and multi-educational education. Youth empowerment, preservation of indigenous language during the international decade on international language. Madam Vice President, I also wish to echo the voice of indigenous across the Pacific who are victims of--? HRC · Vice-President [2:31:12]: I would like to give the floor to Wandera Collective. Australia [2:31:19]: Thank you, Mrs. Vice President. My name is Shauna Pope. I'm an Indigenous Australian and a guarantor of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. I take the floor under items 3 and 5 of the agenda on the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous peoples. Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1991, over 500 Indigenous Australians have died while in custody. These are lives lost, families devastated, and communities traumatised. These tragedies are inseparable from systematic failures in the justice system and broader human rights concerns, including the protection of land and cultural heritage. Even five years after the destruction of Jukin Gorge, a sacred site of immeasurable cultural significance, Traditional owners remain angry and unheard. This is an erasure of cultural criminalization of indigenous peoples are connected worldwide and demand action. Indigenous Australians are significantly overrepresented in custody. Systematic bias, inadequate oversight, and culturally safe practices, lack of culturally safe practices persist. In 2024, curfews on indigenous youth were introduced in some jurisdictions. The age of criminal responsibility in Australia is just 10 years old, while children cannot legally manage social media until 16. These injustices are compounded by the ongoing threats to land rights and cultural heritage. I suggest raising the age of criminal responsibility in line with development science and immediate review of removal of discriminatory measures in the line, such as 2024 youth curfews and independent monitoring and adoption of state-- Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:32:55]: This was the last speaker that we could accommodate for this list. We will now turn to the list of non-government organizations. I give the floor to Law Council of Australia by video. Saint Lucia [2:33:08]: The Law Council of Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report on the recognition of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. As noted in the report, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a framework to recognise Indigenous peoples and their rights domestically. The Law Council advocates for a national action plan to formally and comprehensively implement the Declaration in Australia. The report also notes the failure of the 2023 referendum to enshrine a First Nations voice in Australia's constitution. Civics education, including about Australia's legal system and First Nations people's history, is necessary to combat misinformation and disinformation and to support the effective implementation and protection of First Nations people's rights in Australia. First Nations peoples face inequality and injustices that deny their human rights. They are overrepresented in criminal justice and child protection systems, and this is worsening nationally. National targets towards healthy birth weights, higher education, housing, and life expectancy are not on track to be met. We welcome recent steps by the Australian government to address these issues, but transformative change is needed to meaningfully realize rights in Australia. Special Rapporteur, please affirm the importance of a holistic approach to recognize and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. HRC · Vice-President [2:34:34]: Thank you. I give the floor to Sibi. CIMI [2:34:43]: Thank you, Vice-President. Brazil On the environmental and indigenous rights contracts with the reality of setbacks, the demarcation of indigenous lands crucial for fighting the climate crisis, interned by the temporal framework's law, which legitimizes violence. The 2024 reports on violence from the Indigenous Missionary Council recorded over 1,200 cases of violence against property, 242 against individuals, and 211 murders, in addition to the death of 222 Indigenous children from preventable causes. An example of this violence is the Kayoa community of Guajirao, which has violently by policies after peaceful occupation early this week. While the world discusses ecological transformation, the Brazilian government is moving forward with mining and oil projects that destroy the Amazon and. The defense of democracy in Brazil depends on the guarantee of territorial rights, which is why we ask for the repeal of the unconstitutional Law 14.701. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:36:21]: Thank you. I give the floor to Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies. CIHRS [2:36:27]: Thanks, ma'am, Vice President. I speak as one of the indigenous people of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. As we met today, genocide rages in Gaza with Palestinian pushed towards Sinai through mass killings and forced displacement. We, the indigenous people of Sinai Peninsula, know this pain. Over 150,000 of us have been uprooted under Egypt's so-called counterterrorism campaigns. New investigation by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights and Forensic Architecture have uncovered for the first time a mass grave in the Sinai, along with new evidence, along with new incidents of extrajudicial executions of civilians. These incidents constitute war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. Satellite imagery, on-site footage, field visits, excavations, and eyewitness testimony, including from individuals who worked alongside security forces, revealed a pattern of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture, and execution. The Egyptian authorities refuse to acknowledge these atrocities, despite the evidence, including leaked videos of soldiers executing handcuffed detainees. We call the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, other mandate holders, and the OHCHR to take up this issue. In addition, this Council should take immediate steps to establish an international fact-finding mission to investigate these violations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:38:00]: Thank you. I give the floor to International Indian Treaty Council. IITC [2:38:10]: Thank you, Vice-President. We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur, which provides various ways to strengthen the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The commitments undertaken by States when they adopt the declaration must be applied in every country and harmonized with their internal law. in order to provide justice, as the Special Rapporteur points out. Likewise, the Indigenous Peoples have collective and individual rights recognized in the declaration on an equal footing with other nations and peoples. And the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur must urgently be implemented so that the states recognize the Indigenous Peoples as rights holders differentiated in national and international law, avoiding confusion between indigenous peoples and local communities, because that undermines the principles of the declaration. Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can we legally proceed to ensure that the Convention on Biodiversity stops confusing and undermining the principles and the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:39:37]: Thank you. I give the floor to CELS by video. CELS [2:39:44]: In Argentina, there's a racist policy which denies the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. Indeed, for their very existence at times, and counter to the national constitution, the legal framework in Argentina recognizes that the indigenous peoples were there first, and there are. declarations and conventions signed by the country which recognize basic rights like prior consent and yet that never happens. The structural racism of the governments and judiciary and economic interests over the indigenous lands are the main obstacles to effective recognition of our rights. The lack of an indigenous community property law and territorial restitution policy means we're in a difficult situation every time there's a conflict. facing the government, the extractive industry, the judiciary and the police. The current government calls for racial hastard, pointing to the military and politicians responsible for the indigenous genocide as national heroes. And in the Mendoza province, the local legislature voted for a policy which denies the existence of the Mapuche communities, when there are dozens of them. The first step would be for Argentina to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples, fulfilling the constitution, the laws and the international treaties that it has undertaken. HRC · Vice-President [2:41:06]: Thank you. I give the floor to Edmund Rice International Limited by video. Eritrea [2:41:13]: Mr. President. The ongoing impacts and intergenerational trauma as a result of colonisation continues to be felt deeply in Australia. Social and racial inequality is mirrored within our education system. There remains a significant disparity between the literacy and numeracy standards between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their non-Indigenous classmates. 2024 national assessment data shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are failing at four times the rate of non-Indigenous classmates. and that up to 90% of students in remote communities are failing to reach minimum standards of literacy and numeracy. Despite the introduction of the Closing the Gap targets in 2008 and the 2019 Alice Springs Education Declaration, the learning outcomes of young Indigenous Australians continue to fall short of their non-Indigenous counterparts, and this is unacceptable. Further to this, Australia's failure to take meaningful action to legislate their obligations defined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples only perpetuates ongoing inequality. Evan Rice International therefore recommends, firstly, the government remove barriers by implementing sustained funding to early intervention programs, such as the Early Years Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations. Secondly, that specific funding be allocated for the professional development of current teachers to support them to meaningfully embed the specific existing cross-curricular priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:42:40]: Thank you. I give the floor to International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. INPEA [2:42:47]: To date, older indigenous women remain largely invisible in human rights documents. The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples addressed the important issue on differentiating indigenous communities from those that are ethnic. However, the report is silent on the distinction of older women within those indigenous communities. CEEDOH General Recommendation No. 39 on the rights of indigenous women and girls is also silent on violence against older indigenous women. It states that gender-based violence disproportionately affects indigenous women and girls, and an estimated one in three indigenous women is raped in her lifetime. This means that many older indigenous women enter old age with a cumulative gender-based trauma to compound. Elder abuse. Lack of gender differentiation in the indigenous communities leads to concealed data that are relevant to understanding and addressing gender-based elder abuse in those communities. Ms. Brahmay, how can we ensure the inclusion of violence against older indigenous women in the forthcoming treaty on the human rights of older persons? How can we ensure the active participation of older indigenous women in the negotiation? We're looking forward to your mandate, active contributions to the process. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:44:20]: Thank you. I give the floor to a joint statement by Frontline, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Philippines [2:44:31]: Thank you, Madam President. I am Kasel Ton of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance and Igorot from the Cordillera, Philippines. While some countries have enacted laws to recognize indigenous peoples, such as the Philippines enacting the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997, Subsequent legislation undermines our rights to self-determination, land, and life. Our recognition must go beyond symbolic legislation; it must be upheld in practice. For example, recently signed RA 11252 permits foreign entities to lease land for up to 99 years, violating constitutional safeguards and enabling indigenous land dispossession. The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 remains a tool of plunder, displacing indigenous communities and destroying ancestral lands. Moreover, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 are weaponized against indigenous peoples, human rights defenders, and those who oppose destructive projects are criminalized and arbitrarily labeled as terrorists. We urge the Council and the Special Rapporteur to continue to call for genuine recognition of Indigenous Peoples, a recognition that protects ancestral lands, free, prior and informed consent, and ensures that defenders are not punished for safeguarding their communities. We urge States to repeal laws that endanger Indigenous Peoples, criminalize defenders, and facilitate land dispossession. Land, life, and resources must be defended. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:46:05]: Thank you. I give the floor to Peace Brigades International. PBI [2:46:10]: In Guatemala, the rights of the indigenous peoples covered in the peace agreement of 1996 are not being complied with. The lack of implementation of the right to land and the right to prior, free and informed consent are being violated. A nickel mine has been reopened without consultation in a context of intimidation and threats to the Ketchi authorities. We're also concerned that the criminal charges against 10 human rights offenders because they opposed a mining project in their community. We've seen many court hearings where indigenous persons did not receive the relevant interpretation and where they were treated without respect. This threatens lives, cultures and rights. There continue to be violations of lands and the lack of prior consent, as well as arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, such as the imprisonment of eight forest guards. Traditional governance systems are under threat. The communities are transboundary and this makes them more vulnerable. Families are suffering many forms of violence. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:47:41]: Thank you. I give the floor to Colombian Commission of Jurists by video. CCJ [2:48:01]: The indigenous governor Kilque was accused by Colombia of forest damage and of abduction when he was carrying out his role in a conflict during an invasion by the police force in within a military operation into environmentally protected areas. He was imprisoned for over three years and could not be judged by the special indigenous jurisdiction. After a thousand days of detention, in March 2025, his freedom was ordered. He was given the opportunity to confess to crimes that he had not committed, but As a result, he has to get reparation measures, including a, an internal code of adequate use of natural resources by the indigenous community, which would be admitting to wrongs that were not committed. This proposal is undignified and undermines the autonomy of the community, requiring him to admit to crimes that he didn't commit and undermining the traditional authorities. We call on the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples to monitor the development of this case and to call for this investigation to be closed. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:49:28]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate for this dialogue. I now give the floor to Mr. Albert Kwokwob Barume for his concluding remarks. So you have two and a half minutes. UN · Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [2:49:45]: Thank you. Thank you, Madam Vice President. In concluding, I would like to make three short points. The first is to sincerely thank, uh, those who asked the questions for their interest and for having read the report, which I appreciate very much. The second point is to appreciate equally the understanding in what I tried to do through the report, what I tried to do through this report. which I said I wasn't writing for experts in international law, was to explain or to show the shift into the understanding of the concept indigenous peoples, with the view to addressing the fears that many states continued to have. Because yes, at the beginning, the concept indigenous people or indigenous did have political connotations. It was linked to claim of nations that were subjugated through mostly colonizations. But the concept has shifted since the adoption of the declarations. It has become a human right concept. It has become a tool for states to have more cohesive nations, government and policies. And I do appreciate that many of those who read the report could understand that shift into the understanding. There is no longer fear for nation being more divided. Colonization, yes, it was the main factor in the past, but there are other contemporary factors that keep certain sections in the same conditions. I'll finish by saying that this report I will be undertaking regional webinars with the view to providing space to those who ask the question to which I could not possibly respond in two minutes and have the possibility to engage with the mandate, but also to explain further this important differentiation into the understanding of the concept. Thank you, Madam Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [2:52:18]: Thank you. This brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue with the expert mechanisms on the rights of indigenous people. Excellencies, distinguished participants, this brings us to the end of this meeting. We will reconvene this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. to begin the interactive dialogue with the expert mechanisms on the rights of indigenous peoples, followed by the interactive dialogue on the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, and the interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. I hereby close the 25th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council.