60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Annual panel discussion on the rights of Indigenous Peoples
“Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of a just transition to sustainable energy systems, including in relation to critical minerals”
Joint statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic States – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.
Statement by H.E. Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland
September 24, 2025
President,
I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all panellists for their insightful presentations.
Discussing just transition in the context of Indigenous Peoples could not be more topical, nor important.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, food security as well as the increasing global need for critical minerals force us to find joint, just and sustainable solutions for these questions. This work cannot and should not happen without the vast knowledge, expertise and leadership of Indigenous Peoples - in all corners of the globe - who have lived in close connection with land and waters for thousands of years.
The Nordic-Baltic countries also emphasize the need to include a gender perspective in all environment and energy related actions. Indigenous women must be at the tables when decisions on their rights and futures are being made.
A question: What concretely needs to be done to increase meaningful participation of Indigenous women in matters under discussion today?
Thank you.