An End to Unjust Conservation? (commentary)

The San peoples of the Kalahari have suffered as a result
of exclusionary forms of conservation. CC Harry Jonas.  

In September 2014, events took place in three different parts of the world, which together highlight the multifaceted relationship between human rights and conservation, write Dilys Roe and Harry Jonas. First, in New York, the UN General Assembly adopted the Outcome Document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (World Conference). The document reaffirms and recognizes, among other things: a) support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; b) commitments to obtain free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting Indigenous peoples' lands or territories and other resources, c) commitments to acknowledge, advance and adjudicate the rights of Indigenous peoples pertaining to lands, territories and resources; and d) the significant contribution of Indigenous peoples to the promotion of sustainable development and ecosystem management, including their associated knowledge. Read the   full commentary here. 

WCIP Concludes in New York with Adoption of Outcome Document

After nearly four years of negotiations marked by incredible efforts and occasional drama, the High Level Meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) was finally held on 22-23 September 2014 at United Nations headquarters in New York. Although it ended with more of a sigh than a shout, it was a sigh of hope for better things to come.

The Outcome Document

The main result of the WCIP is the adoption by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) of the Outcome Document, which among other things reaffirms UN member states' support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration). The Outcome Document addresses a variety of issues aimed at facilitating the implementation of the UN Declaration, including with regard to (1) obtaining free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples; (2) increasing their participation in the UN system; and (3) respecting indigenous peoples' role in and right to development. Additionally, the Outcome Document also includes a footnote reference to the Alta Outcome Document, developed by Indigenous Peoples during a preparatory conference held in Alta, Norway from 10-12 June 2013.

Indigenous Peoples on the frontline of biggest ever People's Climate March

More than 400,000 people marched peacefully on Sunday 21st September in New York City in anticipation of the upcoming Climate Summit, taking place on 23rd September 2014 during this year's UN General Assembly. Indigenous Peoples jointly with other affected communities were at the forefront of the march that stretched across Manhattan. It was the biggest ever climate march in history and a celebration of different cultures and communities joining forcing in calling governments to action in addressing global climate change. 

Indigenous peoples were particularly well-represented due to the first-ever World Conference on Indigenous Peoples  (WCIP) at the UN, taking place on 22nd and 23rd of September. The conference, which saw the adoption of the Outcome Document by country delegations attending the UN General Assembly, constitutes the highest level commitment to indigenous peoples' rights since the adoption of the United Nations Declarationon Indigenous Peoples. 

UNGA President Convenes Informal Interactive Dialogue to Discuss WCIP 2014

In preparation for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) to be held in September 2014, the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is holding an informal interactive dialogue at UN Headquarters on 17-18 June 2014 (link to agenda; link to more information). During the dialogue on 17 June, governments and representatives of Indigenous peoples discussed the WCIP, particularly what the content of the Zero Draft of the WCIP outcome document that will be the subject of the WCIP should contain. Natural Justice's Jael Eli Makagon and Dr. Johanna von Braun will both be attending the dialogue.

Update from Permanent Forum on World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to hold a high-level plenary meeting, to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP), in 2014 (Resolution 65/198). Currently, the WCIP is scheduled to take place on 22-23 September 2014 (official web link). In 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/296, commonly known as the "modalities resolution," which among other things provides that discussions during the WCIP would be "co-chaired by one Member State and one representative of indigenous peoples." 

Despite the modalities resolution, however, establishing the exact procedure for the WCIP has been fraught with conflict, with disagreement regarding the manner in which Indigenous peoples would participate in the process. Indeed, the North American Indigenous Peoples' Caucus has called for the cancellation of the WCIP and withdrawn from the Indigenous Global Coordinating Group (GCG) formed to lobby for the full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples in WCIP processes. Although great effort was expended by Indigenous peoples and states to reach consensus, the exact details of the process for the WCIP remained unknown heading into this year's UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Forum) beginning 12 May.