Filipina activist push for IPs rights at UN high-level meet

UNITED NATIONS, New York —Filipina activist Victoria Tauli-Corpuz raised before the international body the pivotal role of protecting indigenous land rights in overcoming hunger and poverty in indigenous territories.

During a dialogue session here at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Tauli-Corpuz said there is need to respect the fundamental rights of indigenous communities to manage and control their land, territory, waters, and resources.

The former UN special rapporteur and now Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples International Centre for Policy Research and Education expressed concern that indigenous territories continue to face threats, often stemming from conservation efforts and large-scale infrastructure projects.

She called upon states to recognize and respect the identities and rights of indigenous peoples, and reiterated the importance of upholding the principles outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Tauli-Corpuz highlighted a troubling trend where many states in Asia and Africa deny the identities of indigenous peoples, underlining the need for a human rights-based approach as the cornerstone of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation.

The dialogue session revolved around exploring various dimensions of resilience, showcasing humanity's remarkable capacity to overcome adversity. Additionally, it delved into disaster risk reduction, disaster resilience, and the advancement of the SDGs within crisis and humanitarian contexts.

High Commissioner Filippo Grandi emphasized the critical importance of bridging the gap between humanitarian and development efforts. He stressed that this nexus could only be achieved by accelerating progress toward development goals and the SDGs, especially in regions facing crises and post-conflict situations.

The overarching themes of the 2023 SDG Summit Leaders' Dialogues, including "Building resilience and leaving no one behind," align closely with the analysis presented in the Secretary-General's Special Edition report, "Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a Rescue Plan for People and Planet," as well as the primary findings of the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR).

These dialogues aim to engage Heads of State and Government while also providing a platform for major groups and stakeholders to contribute their crucial insights and recommendations for the successful realization of the 2030 Agenda.—LDF, GMA Integrated News