The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP-5), held in Geneva from 30 October to 3 November 2023, adopted 21 decisions to keep protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury.
The 12th meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity took place from 12 to 16 November 2023.
On 13 November, the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Mr. Dario Mejia Montalvo, addressed the Working Group that considered the recommendations related to the Convention from the twentieth (2021), twenty-first (2022), and twenty-second (2023) sessions of the Permanent Forum, focusing on those recommendations that had not yet been examined by the Working Group.
On 7 November 2023, the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (Third Committee) of the 78th session of the General Assembly discussed and took up the draft resolution "The Rights of Indigenous Peoples" [item 68 (a)].
The Committee took up the draft resolution “Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (A/C.3/78/L.20/Rev.1).
16 October 2023 – Every year on 17 October, the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, also known as End Poverty Day. This year the day’s theme puts a spotlight on decent work and social protection, putting dignity in practice for all.
People living in extreme poverty, many of whom work in the informal economy – unregistered, unrecognised and unprotected under labour legislation - face difficult and dangerous conditions. The most excluded have no choice but to accept unacceptable situations and are often seen and treated as ‘disposable’. Despite working long hours, they are unable to earn enough to support themselves and their families.
Protecting the dignity and human rights of older persons, and addressing the challenges they face in society will ultimately benefit all of humanity, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said.
Mr. Guterres was speaking at the opening of a high-level forum at UN Headquarters where world leaders adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to achieve the 17 goals, which aim to drive economic prosperity and well-being for all people while protecting the environment. “The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,” he said.
The 100-year commemoration of the Deskaheh mission's attempt to reach the League of Nations in Geneva is a moment to remember that Indigenous Peoples have existed long before States were formed. They have always fought to preserve their governance structures, autonomy, and inherent right of self-determination.
The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a crucial milestone in the journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the urgent need to put the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.
Everything you need to know about the upcoming UN General Assembly High-level Week 2023:
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 endorsed by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The Permanent Forum at its 2023 session recommended the theme of the Expert Group Meeting (EGM), “Indigenous Peoples in a Greening Economy”.
Dates: 23 -25 January 2024
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