Indigenous Women are still not on the global agenda at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Written on 06 January 2025.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Every year, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at a two-week session to take stock of the status of women around the world, discuss the progress and regress of the situation, and agree on necessary next steps.

Although continuously pushing for their rights, Indigenous women still suffer from an acute lack of visibility at the Commission and are not given the space to impactfully exert their leadership.

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IWGIA’s reaction to the COP 29 outcome

Written on 27 November 2024.

Left to right: IWGIA Climate Advisor, Stefan Thorsell; UCRT Executive Director, Paine Mako; Maasai Elder, Metui Ole Shaudo; and PINGO's Forum Climate Manager, Gideon Sanago

In the lead up to COP 29, and indeed throughout the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Indigenous Peoples from all seven socio-cultural regions engaged in active advocacy to ensure an ambitious and just outcome upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

In the early hours of 24 November 2024, the conference concluded with an utterly controversial and disappointing outcome. The closing statement of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) speaks for itself.

Hereby IWGIA’s reaction to the COP 29 outcome.

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Charting a Just Transition for Indigenous Peoples

Written on 13 December 2024.

“We are Earth. Earth is us.”

Indigenous Peoples have endured centuries of violence, exploitation, and displacement - facing murder, enslavement and forced relocation, while their lands have been militarized and criminalized. Despite this, their rights are repeatedly sidelined in the global push to tackle the climate crisis. International summits and national plans for a sustainable future promise progress but often exclude those most affected by these decisions: Indigenous Peoples. Even when it concerns the lands they have protected for generations, their perspectives are ignored or marginalized. Yet they remain resilient; continuing to safeguard their territories and traditions. With their holistic worldview and deep-rooted understanding of nature and sustainability, Indigenous Peoples hold invaluable insights for a green transition, offering solutions that are not only ecologically sound but also culturally and socially just.

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COP16: UN Biodiversity Conference was a victory for Indigenous Peoples and their role as indispensable protectors of the diversity of life on Earth

Written on 23 November 2024.

COP16 (UN Biodiversity Conference) resulted in a historic decision for Indigenous Peoples and their rights, marking an important step on the way to recognizing them and their invaluable knowledge of ecosystems.

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