World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
Name	World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
Date	2014
Venue	United Nations Headquarters
Location	New York City, United States
Organizer	United Nations
Participants	Indigenous leaders, Member States, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

World Conference on Indigenous Peoples The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples convened as a high-level gathering at United Nations Headquarters in New York City to address Indigenous rights and self-determination, bringing together representatives from Member States, Indigenous organizations, and multilateral institutions. The meeting produced a negotiated outcome document and spurred processes within United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and regional bodies such as the Organization of American States and African Union.

Background and Purpose

The conference was rooted in antecedents including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the work of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and reports from the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It responded to calls from Indigenous networks like the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, International Indian Treaty Council, and the World Council of Indigenous Peoples while engaging states that had ratified instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and participated in forums like the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council. Major influences included earlier gatherings such as the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 debates within the International Labour Organization and mobilizations tied to landmark events like the First Nations Summit and regional summits of the Arctic Council.

Preparations and Participation

Preparatory processes involved consultations by entities including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Secretariat of the United Nations. Indigenous caucuses—comprising organizations such as Assembly of First Nations, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act-affiliated groups, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Saami Council—coordinated input alongside Member State delegations from Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Mexico, Russia, and United States. International agencies including UNESCO, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, and regional bodies such as the Council of Europe contributed technical briefs; civil society actors like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs monitored processes. Preparatory meetings invoked legal frameworks including instruments from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, European Court of Human Rights, and jurisprudence tied to cases such as Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia and decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada.

Summit Proceedings and Outcomes

The summit featured plenaries chaired by officials from the United Nations General Assembly and interventions by heads of state, Indigenous leaders, representatives of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and experts from institutions like the International Court of Justice, UNICEF, World Health Organization, and the International Labour Organization. Workshops addressed themes raised by entities such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Outcomes included commitments reflecting obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, proposals for enhanced participation in treaty bodies such as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Human Rights Committee, and references to mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review.

Adoption of the Outcome Document

Member States negotiated an outcome document through the United Nations General Assembly process, influenced by submissions from Indigenous organizations such as the International Indian Treaty Council and the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. The text—adopted by consensus—reflected language from instruments including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recommendations from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and was presented in plenary at United Nations Headquarters.

Implementation and Follow-up Mechanisms

Follow-up involved integration into agendas of bodies like the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Human Rights Council, Economic and Social Council, and specialized agencies such as UNESCO and UNDP. Monitoring and reporting pathways referenced the Universal Periodic Review, treaty-monitoring bodies including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and regional mechanisms like the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Capacity-building initiatives engaged institutions like the World Bank, International Labour Organization, and Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, while technical cooperation involved the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization.

Criticism and Controversies

Critics including advocacy groups such as the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs and NGOs like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch argued that the conference lacked binding enforcement comparable to rulings from bodies like the International Court of Justice or precedents set by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Tensions surfaced between states such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and Indigenous delegations over implementation of rights recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and disputes involving resource projects linked to corporations represented at parallel events involving the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Concerns were raised about participation modalities by groups including the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus and debates over language related to land rights referenced jurisprudence like Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia.

Legacy and Impact on Indigenous Rights Advocacy

The conference reinforced advocacy networks including the International Indian Treaty Council, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Saami Council, and the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, and influenced subsequent processes at the United Nations General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and regional bodies such as the Organization of American States and African Union. It catalyzed initiatives involving UNESCO, UNDP, World Health Organization, and the World Bank on Indigenous priorities, and informed litigation and policy debates before institutions like the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Supreme Court of Canada, and national bodies in Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and Norway. The conference thereby contributed to ongoing efforts to operationalize the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples across international and domestic arenas.

Category:Indigenous rights Category:United Nations conferences