Welcome to the United Nations
Every year, the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch within the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes an international expert group meeting (EGM) on a theme recommended by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and endorse by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
In its twenty-third session in 2024, the Permanent Forum recommended the theme of the EGM, "The Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including those in voluntary isolation and initial contact in the context of the extraction of critical minerals.
The EGM will be held virtually online between 2-4 December 2024.
Participation
Accredited Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Member States, United Nations agencies, programmes and funds, non-governmental organizations with ECOSOC status and academia are invited to participate.
Registration
Registration to the EGM will be open from 13- 26 November 2024.
- Accredited Indigenous Peoples Organizations, NGOs with ECOSOC status and academia: Register here via Indico. Registrations close 26 November 2024.
- Member States: email indigenous_un@un.org
- UN Agencies: focal points from the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues will be sent a direct link to join.
Working Languages:
Interpretation in English, Spanish and Portugese and vice-versa will be available.
Concept Note
Objectives of the Expert Group Meeting
The overall objective of the Expert Group Meeting is to:
- Elaborate on Indigenous-led initiatives and enterprises that promote the development of Indigenous Peoples' land, territories and resources, offering alternatives for energy transition consistent with their self-determination and related rights;
- Analyze the principles of human rights due diligence vis-a-vis the need to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples for extractive operations affecting them, however adhering to the precautionary, no-contact and intangibility principles in relation to Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact;
- Assess the situation of reprisals against Indigenous leaders and Indigenous human rights defenders, including Indigenous women, in relation to their activism in defending their rights;
- Examine access to effective remedy, or lack thereof, for Indigenous Peoples negatively affected by extractive industry activities;
- Share good practices on States' recognition and protection of as well as engagement of businesses and investors and works of various UN mechanisms for the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
- Provide recommendations and next steps to ensure the respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The final report and recommendations of the EGM will be submitted to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at its twenty-fourth session in April 2025.
Themes for discussion
Day 1: Monday 2 December 2024 from 10:00- 12:30 EST
Theme 1: Territorial and land rights and cultural preservation towards strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination & free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
- What legal and policy measures can States adopt to secure Indigenous territorial and land rights in areas targeted for critical mineral extraction?
- How can Indigenous Peoples balance economic opportunities from critical mineral extraction with the need for environmental protection and cultural preservation?
- What are the main challenges to implementing free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in the critical minerals sector, and how can these be addressed to ensure meaningful participation?
- How can Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural practices be incorporated into environmental protection and restoration projects in mining areas?
- What accountability mechanisms can be put in place to ensure that States and corporations adhere to FPIC and respect territorial rights in the critical minerals industry
- What strategies can be implemented to protect the territories of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, ensuring that their right to self-determination and FPIC are respected without forcing contact?
- How can cultural preservation be prioritized in legal and policy frameworks to safeguard the heritage and autonomy Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, especially as external pressures on their territories increase?
Day 2: Tuesday 3 December 2024 from 15:00- 17:30 EST
Theme 2: Social, economic, health and environmental impact of critical mineral projects towards a just transition
- What policies and practices can ensure that critical mineral extraction benefits Indigenous Peoples economically without compromising social, environmental, and health standards?
- What are the potential health impacts of critical mineral projects and how can we assess and mitigate these long-term health impacts on Indigenous Peoples, particularly in remote areas?
- What frameworks exist to equitably share the economic benefits of critical mineral projects with Indigenous Peoples, and how can these be strengthened to ensure a just transition?
- How can States and corporations work with Indigenous Peoples to prevent environmental degradation and ensure sustainable land stewardship during and after mineral extraction?
- How can States and corporations work with Indigenous Peoples to prevent environmental degradation and ensure sustainable land stewardship during and after mineral extraction?
- How can States and corporations ensure the protection of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact from the environmental and health impacts of critical mineral projects, especially regarding potential exposure to external populations and diseases?
- What safeguards and monitoring systems can be put in place to respect the autonomy and territories of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact in areas affected by critical mineral extraction?
Day 3: Wednesday 4 December 2024 from 9:00- 11:30 EST
Theme 3: Pathways forward in advancing legal and regulatory responses to human rights violations affecting Indigenous Peoples in the context of critical minerals
- What legal reforms are most urgently needed to protect Indigenous rights in regions where critical mineral extraction takes place?
- How can States strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent and address human rights violations tied to critical mineral projects on Indigenous lands?
- Are there international legal frameworks that could be expanded or adapted to provide better protection for Indigenous rights in the context of critical minerals?
- What role can Indigenous-led legal initiatives play in shaping policies and regulations that safeguard their lands, resources, and rights?
- How can collaboration between Indigenous Peoples, States, and international organizations enhance accountability for corporations involved in critical mineral extraction?
- How can existing international human rights frameworks be adapted or strengthened to specifically protect the rights and territories of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact near critical mineral deposits?
Experts
Antenor Vaz, International Working Group of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact - GTI PIACI (Brazil)
Antenor Vaz is a popular educator and independent international consultant specializing in the design, monitoring and evaluation of policies for the protection of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact (PIACI), with over 30 years of experience working across the Pan-Amazon region. Antenor participated in the establishment of the Massaco Indigenous Land, the first to be officially recognized by the Brazilian government with exclusive usufruct rights for isolated Indigenous Peoples. Antenor worked at the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) (1980-2013) and served as the policy coordinator for Indigenous Peoples of recent contact (2007-2013). Antenor has worked as a consultant for the Cooperation Treaty Organization Amazon (OCTA), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Amazon Conservation Team and Land is Life. Antenor is now a regional consultant for GTI PIACI.
Anthony Phillip Williams, (Khoe and San), Indigenous Peoples Network of Southern Africa (IPNeSA)
Anthony Phillip Williams, a Native San (Bushman) activist, Indigenous Legal advocate, has devoted his life promoting the South African Indigenous Peoples Land Rights, Identity reinstatement, Language, Culture, Heritage, Economics (Aborigenomics) and Resources Rights Protection and Restitution.
Anthony is advocating for the control of ancestral lands (territories), natural resources, and cultural practices. He combines his work around resources (including fauna and flora), transition minerals and human rights protection in an effort to create a thriving and socio-economic prosperous community.
Anthony spent considerable time working and campaigning against human rights abuses by the apartheid regime and the current democratic government. Anthony P Williams is currently the President of the Indigenous Peoples Network of Southern Africa, a Resources Rights protection network, representing Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Galina Angarova (Buryat), Executive Director, SIRGE Coalition
Galina Angarova is the Executive Director of the SIRGE Coalition and the former Executive Director of Cultural Survival. Galina previously served as Program Officer at the Swift Foundation, and prior to that, as Policy and Communications Advisor for Tebtebba.
Galina has represented the Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group at the UN on issues such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda and has led Indigenous experts to review safeguards for Indigenous Peoples for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Green Climate Fund. Previously, Galina was the Russia Program Director at Pacific Environment, where she organized direct actions to block pipeline construction in the Altai region of Siberia, to close a toxic paper mill on Lake Baikal, and to stop a hydro-dam from flooding Evenk Peoples’ lands. Galina holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and served on the board of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples for seven years.
Sara Olsvig, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Greenland
Sara Olsvig is the International Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council. Previously, she served as a member of the Parliament of Denmark (2011 – 2015) and the Parliament of Greenland (2013 – 2018). Sara was also the leader of the political party Inuit Ataqatigiit. Sara was Vice Premier and Minister of Social Affairs, Families, Gender Equality and Justice in the Government of Greenland from 2016 to 2018.
Sara was member (2011 – 2014) and Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region from 2013 to 2014. Olsvig has contributed to the work of the Constitutional Commission of Greenland, and the Human Rights Council of Greenland. Sara was delegated by UNPFII as a member of the United Nations Secretary General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Olsvig holds a MSc in Anthropology and is a Ph.D. candidate at Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland.
Brian Keane, Director, Land is Life
Brian Keane has been working with Indigenous Peoples’ communities for nearly forty years. He is co-founder and Executive Director of Land is Life and has served as Rapporteur for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from 2017 to 2019.
Brian was appointed as the first Advisor for Indigenous Peoples’ Issues for United States Foreign Assistance during the Obama Administration.
Pichamon Yeophantong, Member, Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Photo and bio to come.
Karrina Nolan, (a descendant of the Yorta Yorta People), First Nations Clean Energy Network, Australia
Photo and bio to come.
Valmaine Toki, Chair, Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Photo and bio to come.
José Carlos Solón, People’s Mobilization for the Earth and Climate / Solon Foundation (Bolivia)
Photo and bio to come.
Emma Rawson Te-Patu, (Māori), President, World Federation of Public Health Associations
Photo and bio to come.
Patricia Suarez, (Pueblo Murui), National Commission for the prevention and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation and Initial Contact, Colombia
Photo and bio to come.
Contact Information
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Inclusive Social Development Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch, indigenous_un@un.org