Thank you, Chair,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark together with Greenland, and my own country Norway.
As we are coming closer to the end of the 25th permanent forum, it is time for some reflection.
The forum has come to play an important role as a unique arena where Indigenous Peoples and Member States from all over the world can meet for inspiring dialogue and exchange of good practices. We are proud that Ole-Henrik Magga, a Sami politician from our region was the first chair of Permanent Forum.
This year’s theme – Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health – is pertinent. Looking ahead, it is essential that the Permanent Forum continues its crucial role in raising issues that affect Indigenous Peoples globally.
As part of the UN family, the ongoing UN80 Initiative for broad and ambitious reform of the UN System will also impact the work of securing Indigenous Peoples rights.
With growing global challenges and increasing demands on the UN system, limited resources must be used wisely.
The reforms must maintain a balance between the three core pillars of the UN: development, peace and security, and human rights.
Reforms should strengthen the human rights pillar. Human rights must form an integral part of all development, peace and security, and humanitarian efforts and be reflected in all reform efforts.
We, the Nordic countries, have a strong commitment to an effective, inclusive, and representative UN, and to a global order based on international law and the UN Charter.
Meaningful civil society participation and involvement of Indigenous Peoples under all three pillars is an asset for the UN and remains crucial in a reformed UN.
The goal is to improve the UN’s impact for persons on the ground, based on the UN’s normative frameworks. Our hope is that this will, in a favorable way, also impact the work to secure Indigenous Peoples’ rights in a changing world.
We have on several occasions expressed our support, and actively (and visibly) promoted the rights of Indigenous Peoples to enhance greater participation, bringing added legitimacy and sustainability to the decisions adopted by the United Nations.
We will continue the work of enhancing the participation of Indigenous People’s representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant UN bodies on issues affecting them – in line with UNGA resolution 71/321.
Thank you for your attention.