Statement by the Permanent Mission of México to the UN on behalf of the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples
April 25
Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished guests:
I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of Indigenous
Peoples, composed of Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Spain,
Paraguay, Peru, and my own country, Mexico.
It would seem that as we commemorate the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate ten years of engagement. However, we must not
forget that the Declaration was agreed only after almost 25 years of deliberation by
Member States and indigenous peoples. Today, the document is understood by many to
constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous
peoples of the world.
For the members of the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples, indigenous issues are
issues of human rights, participation, sustainable development, gender equality and
empowerment for social inclusion.
The Declaration is the most comprehensive agreement that recognizes the individual and
collective rights of indigenous peoples. Today and every day should serve as an
opportunity to highlight the contributions of indigenous peoples that continue to enrich our
societies through their cultures, expressions, knowledge, traditions, languages, histories
and aspirations.
Mr. President,
We should also recall that indigenous peoples around the world continue to face specific
vulnerabilities and marginalization. Having faced historical and continued colonization,
racism, and other forms of discrimination, many peoples are vulnerable as development
processes in developed and developing countries leave them behind. They are often
among the most disadvantaged compared to the rest of populations in all countries where
they live, and often over-represented among the poor, the illiterate and the unemployed.
When we adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we committed to leave
no one behind. This Agenda is of vital importance to the 370 million indigenous peoples
around the world and we must promote their rights with respect to their own contributions
to sustainable development. We are convinced that the incorporation of indigenous
peoples in all aspects of development assist in the implementation of the SDGs. Member
States, would be well served to share in the profound knowledge of nature and
sustainability held by indigenous peoples. We also encourage Member States to establish
functional mechanisms of full participation of indigenous communities on issues that may
affect them.
Meanwhile, the United Nations must also play a central role. We call for a renewal of the
commitment of the United Nations System and its Member States to remedy historic
injustices resulting from racism, discrimination, and inequalities long suffered by
indigenous peoples, in particular women and girls. We will work to ensure they are front
and center as rights-holders and full participants in societies.
We salute the System Wide Action Plan (SWAP) on indigenous peoples for highlighting
the needs and opportunities for indigenous peoples at the UN. Its effective
implementation should strengthen national capacities to fully implement the Declaration.
Mr. President,
Indigenous peoples have their own perspectives and priorities as peoples, and it is time
we listen. Ten years after adoption of the Declaration, we are now engaged in a process
that will result in enhanced participation of indigenous peoples in relevant meetings of the
United Nations. It is time to make sure that indigenous peoples can have their voices
heard in those issues that pertain directly to them at the United Nations
In this sense, we reiterate our countries’ support to the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, and will be guided by its relevant articles, alongside our existing
domestic provisions as we promote their participation of indigenous peoples within the
United Nations, while fully respecting the UN Charter.
Mr. President,
We take this opportunity to recall that we, Member States, are expected to take effective
measures, in order to promote, protect and respect the rights of all Indigenous Peoples,
particularly the rights of indigenous women and girls as well indigenous persons with
disabilities.
We call upon all Member States to work toward the improvement of their economic and
social conditions, access to justice, employment, education, housing, sanitation, health
and social security, while taking into account the visions and aspirations of indigenous
peoples.
We urge Member States to take concrete measures to realize the aspirations contained
in the declaration.
George Herbert Mead stated that “society is unity in diversity”. The Member States of the
Group of Friends are mosaic of ethnicities, cultures, races and languages. We celebrate
our diversity as a source of strength. Let us also celebrate the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a source tenacity in favour of human rights, sustainable
development and peace.
Thank you very much.
