Major Group: Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples Major Group (IPMG)
Statement on the Elements for the Post 2015 Declaration, 19 February 2015
By Grace Balawag, Tebtebba – Indigenous Peoples International Centre for Policy Research and Education
For Indigenous Peoples, “leaving no one behind” means the need to ensure the inclusion of indigenous peoples in the Post-2015 Political Declaration.
Indigenous peoples and their issues related to their rights and development were not adequately reflected in the Outcome Document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon in the General Assembly in 2014. This has to be addressed, especially when the indicators are developed and in other related documents which still have to be negotiated. We looked at the Draft of the elements of the Post-2015 Political Declaration and we would like to recommend some changes and additions. It is our sincere desire to see these integrated into the outcome of the session this February 2014.
We would like to reiterate that for indigenous peoples, the most crucial elements which we think a Political Declaration should contain are the following;
• The crucial importance of including the human-rights based approach to development in the Declaration. This means that States, the duty bearers, have to comply with their obligations to international human rights law and the rights-holders which include indigenous peoples, should be supported to claim their rights in the development process.
• Global goals and targets should apply universality, but should be underpinned by diversity. Effective implementation of universal goals means being mindful of national contexts whilst respecting cultural diversity.
• Disaggregation of data and the establishment of special measures. Goals and targets which aim to leave no one behind can only happen if data is disaggregated to show who are the ones at risk of being left behind which will need special measures for their well-being and dignity.
• The principles of equality and non-discrimination should be embedded in the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Respect for human rights and social inclusion requires the promotion of equality and non-discrimination by acknowledging social differences and cultural diversity; and addressing these appropriately in different national contexts.
Appended to this statement is the document below on the elements where we put our recommended changes/inclusions.
ANNEX:
Below is the Elements Paper with our Inclusions (highlighted in yellow);
ELEMENTS PAPER FOR DECLARATION DISCUSSION (based on views expressed during stocktaking session19-21 January)
General: Declaration should be concise, visionary, ambitious, actionable, communicable and simple. A call to action by all. It should have a compelling and simple title and draw on important source documents.
1. A COLLECTIVE VISION OF THE ROAD TO 2O30
• Today's challenges: poverty, climate change, the degradation of the natural world, inequality within and between countries, vulnerability and exclusion, institutional failures, economic/social/environmental shocks and challenges, including those undermining peaceful and just societies.
• The tomorrow we want: irreversible end to poverty and shared well-being for all, to be achieved through the laying of strong economic foundations, social development, cultural diversity and environmental stewardship.
2. WHAT WE MUST DO TO GET THERE
• An ambitious and transformative agenda, underpinned by the human-rights based approach to development.
• Goals and targets which member States have defined; inclusive national ownership and leadership
• Global goals and targets to apply universally, underpinned by diversity
• Goals and targets which leave no one behind , identified through disaggregation of data and implementation of special measures, and which balance and integrate the economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions of development
• What the new framework will set out to do (possibly framed in part using the six essential elements of the SG's Synthesis Report: dignity, people, prosperity and well-being, planet, justice, partnership)
• Building on the MDGs but with new ambition, addressing structural drivers of poverty, inequality, marginalization and unsustainable development
• A framework which responds, in particular, to the needs of countries and peoples in special situations.
• And which takes account of differing national circumstances and respects national positions and priorities.
3. HOW WILL WE GET THERE
Mobilise the means of implementation and a revitalized global partnership to:
• build an enabling environment for development, including through good governance, non-discrimination and the rule of,law at all levels;
• create and nourish a diversity of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the business sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, women, academia, parliaments, local authorities and international institutions.
Agree on a sustainable development framework which responds, in particular, to the needs of countries in special situations; and which takes account of differing national circumstances and respects national positions and priorities, and apply the human rights-based approach to development.
3. How we will do this
Mobilise the means of implementation and a revitalized global partnership to: build an enabling environment for development, including through good governance, non-discrimination and the rule of law at all levels;
Create and nourish a diversity of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the business sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, women, academia, parliaments, local authorities and international institutions.
Strengthening of the United Nations to respond to needs on the road to 2030
4. Follow-Up and Review
Recognising the importance of a robust and transparent framework for follow- up and review at all levels.
5. Our commitment:
Global solidarity, common principles
Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law
Reaffirmation of common values including freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for all human rights, including gender equality, the right to development, respect for national sovereignty, respect for diversity and right to self-determination
Principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, CBDR
Political commitment to complete the unfinished business of the MDGs and implement the post-2015 development agenda.
Final call to action
Statement on the Elements for the Post 2015 Declaration, 19 February 2015
By Grace Balawag, Tebtebba – Indigenous Peoples International Centre for Policy Research and Education
For Indigenous Peoples, “leaving no one behind” means the need to ensure the inclusion of indigenous peoples in the Post-2015 Political Declaration.
Indigenous peoples and their issues related to their rights and development were not adequately reflected in the Outcome Document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon in the General Assembly in 2014. This has to be addressed, especially when the indicators are developed and in other related documents which still have to be negotiated. We looked at the Draft of the elements of the Post-2015 Political Declaration and we would like to recommend some changes and additions. It is our sincere desire to see these integrated into the outcome of the session this February 2014.
We would like to reiterate that for indigenous peoples, the most crucial elements which we think a Political Declaration should contain are the following;
• The crucial importance of including the human-rights based approach to development in the Declaration. This means that States, the duty bearers, have to comply with their obligations to international human rights law and the rights-holders which include indigenous peoples, should be supported to claim their rights in the development process.
• Global goals and targets should apply universality, but should be underpinned by diversity. Effective implementation of universal goals means being mindful of national contexts whilst respecting cultural diversity.
• Disaggregation of data and the establishment of special measures. Goals and targets which aim to leave no one behind can only happen if data is disaggregated to show who are the ones at risk of being left behind which will need special measures for their well-being and dignity.
• The principles of equality and non-discrimination should be embedded in the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Respect for human rights and social inclusion requires the promotion of equality and non-discrimination by acknowledging social differences and cultural diversity; and addressing these appropriately in different national contexts.
Appended to this statement is the document below on the elements where we put our recommended changes/inclusions.
ANNEX:
Below is the Elements Paper with our Inclusions (highlighted in yellow);
ELEMENTS PAPER FOR DECLARATION DISCUSSION (based on views expressed during stocktaking session19-21 January)
General: Declaration should be concise, visionary, ambitious, actionable, communicable and simple. A call to action by all. It should have a compelling and simple title and draw on important source documents.
1. A COLLECTIVE VISION OF THE ROAD TO 2O30
• Today's challenges: poverty, climate change, the degradation of the natural world, inequality within and between countries, vulnerability and exclusion, institutional failures, economic/social/environmental shocks and challenges, including those undermining peaceful and just societies.
• The tomorrow we want: irreversible end to poverty and shared well-being for all, to be achieved through the laying of strong economic foundations, social development, cultural diversity and environmental stewardship.
2. WHAT WE MUST DO TO GET THERE
• An ambitious and transformative agenda, underpinned by the human-rights based approach to development.
• Goals and targets which member States have defined; inclusive national ownership and leadership
• Global goals and targets to apply universally, underpinned by diversity
• Goals and targets which leave no one behind , identified through disaggregation of data and implementation of special measures, and which balance and integrate the economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions of development
• What the new framework will set out to do (possibly framed in part using the six essential elements of the SG's Synthesis Report: dignity, people, prosperity and well-being, planet, justice, partnership)
• Building on the MDGs but with new ambition, addressing structural drivers of poverty, inequality, marginalization and unsustainable development
• A framework which responds, in particular, to the needs of countries and peoples in special situations.
• And which takes account of differing national circumstances and respects national positions and priorities.
3. HOW WILL WE GET THERE
Mobilise the means of implementation and a revitalized global partnership to:
• build an enabling environment for development, including through good governance, non-discrimination and the rule of,law at all levels;
• create and nourish a diversity of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the business sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, women, academia, parliaments, local authorities and international institutions.
Agree on a sustainable development framework which responds, in particular, to the needs of countries in special situations; and which takes account of differing national circumstances and respects national positions and priorities, and apply the human rights-based approach to development.
3. How we will do this
Mobilise the means of implementation and a revitalized global partnership to: build an enabling environment for development, including through good governance, non-discrimination and the rule of law at all levels;
Create and nourish a diversity of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the business sector, civil society, indigenous peoples, women, academia, parliaments, local authorities and international institutions.
Strengthening of the United Nations to respond to needs on the road to 2030
4. Follow-Up and Review
Recognising the importance of a robust and transparent framework for follow- up and review at all levels.
5. Our commitment:
Global solidarity, common principles
Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law
Reaffirmation of common values including freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for all human rights, including gender equality, the right to development, respect for national sovereignty, respect for diversity and right to self-determination
Principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, CBDR
Political commitment to complete the unfinished business of the MDGs and implement the post-2015 development agenda.
Final call to action