The Indigenous World 2025: The Indigenous Navigator: Self-Determined Development

Written on 25 April 2025. Posted in The Indigenous Navigator: Self-Determined Development

The Indigenous Navigator^[1] is an online portal providing access to a set of tools developed for and by Indigenous Peoples. By using the Indigenous Navigator, Indigenous organizations and communities, duty bearers, NGOs, journalists and others can access the national and community surveys that are used to collect data on the situation of Indigenous Peoples. The data collected in the surveys can be used to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and to systematically monitor the level of recognition and implementation of these rights. By documenting and reporting their own situations, Indigenous Peoples can enhance their access to justice and development.

The Indigenous Navigator framework encompasses over 150 structure, process, and outcome indicators monitoring central aspects of Indigenous Peoples' civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), ILO Convention 169 (ILOC169) and other relevant human rights instruments. In addition, the framework enables monitoring of the Outcome Document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Indigenous Navigator, initiated in 2014, has been developed and carried forward by a consortium consisting of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Forest Peoples Programme (FPP), International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Tebtebba – Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education (Tebtebba), Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). This consortium works in partnership with the European Commission and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Monitoring the implementation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights

The Indigenous Navigator continues to be a strong tool for Indigenous communities and allied partner organizations across the globe in terms of collecting disaggregated data on the situation of Indigenous Peoples at the national and community level. The data, collected consistently, reveals an implementation gap in their collective rights as Indigenous Peoples^[2] and in the reality experienced by Indigenous Peoples in their communities. Currently, data collection is ongoing in 29 UN member states in the Arctic, Asia, Africa and Latin America.^[3]

Data collection using the Indigenous Navigator tools continued in 2024. A total of 92 new community surveys had been created by the end of 2024. Of these, 52 were published in the global portal. This brings the total number of publicly available community surveys to 272. In addition, six national surveys were completed and uploaded to the global portal, bringing the total number of publicly available national surveys to 28.^[4] By comparing the national surveys and community surveys, it is possible to identify implementation gaps between the Indigenous rights a country has committed to uphold and how effectively these commitments are being met in practice. As the comparable data across countries and regions are being gathered through the Indigenous Navigator, the global situation of Indigenous Peoples is thus documented and used to advocate for respect of their rights.

Evolving to address emerging needs

Ten years after its inception in 2014, the Indigenous Navigator framework and tools continue to be used by Indigenous communities and partner organizations around world. However, the Indigenous Navigator tools are also being expanded and diversified with new modules^[5] to cover specific details on critical emerging thematic areas identified as priorities within the international Indigenous Peoples’ movement.

Throughout 2024, the development of two specialized modules to collect data on Indigenous Peoples’ rights in relation to climate change and human rights and environmental due diligence^[6] was completed. The modules have been developed in close consultation with Indigenous Peoples and their representatives and thus informed by their experiences. The new modules continue to use the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) human rights indicator methodology^[7] to facilitate a human rights-based monitoring. Extra attention has been given to the development of these modules to facilitate the collection of gender-disaggregated data.

A third specialized module on biodiversity will be completed in 2025 and has benefitted from extensive consultations with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations. This module will be closely tied to the upcoming monitoring of relevant targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)^[8] in addition to related human rights and Indigenous rights frameworks. These new surveys will be fully integrated and available in the global portal in 2025.

Continued international engagement

The Indigenous Navigator partners have broadened the network and acceptance of the Indigenous Navigator through engagement and targeted interventions by sharing the framework and tools with a wider audience in international meetings that are key to Indigenous Peoples’ rights. These included the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). The Indigenous Navigator has supported the participation of Indigenous representatives in these international events and organized a series of side events where partners and Indigenous Peoples’ representatives have presented project outcomes as well as their perspective on the use of the Indigenous Navigator’s tools on the ground. As part of this, the Indigenous representatives engaged in important conversations concerning the role of data generation in the context of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

In February, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and Indigenous Navigator partner organizations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand, participated in the 11^th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok, Thailand.^[9] The event was organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). During the Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International (IPRI),^[10] Tebtebba and AIPP jointly organized a side event on “Advancing a Sustainable, Rights-Based Development to Achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The side event highlighted Indigenous Peoples-led data governance, Indigenous Navigator data and monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the ground level and was presented by Indigenous representatives who are using the Indigenous Navigator.^[11] 

In April, IWGIA organized the side event “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Self Determination: Data and Information from the Indigenous Navigator on Autonomy, Customary Law, and Indigenous Peoples’ Own Institutions” at the 23^rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York. The objective of the side event was to provide a platform for exploring the effective realization of self-determination through the exercise of autonomy, respect for customary law, and the strengthening of Indigenous institutions. The event presented Indigenous Navigator data monitoring of self-determination, highlighting experiences from Indigenous Peoples’ representatives from the Arctic, South America, Africa, and Asia. The panellists discussed how to address challenges and explore strategies for enhancing the recognition of Indigenous communities’ self-determination and self-government according to their values and traditions.

The Indigenous Navigator Steering Committee submitted a statement on the future work of the UNPFII, which resulted in a recommendation in the UNPFII’s report on the 23^rd session. In its report, the Permanent Forum:

welcomes the progress made in the development of community-based tools to monitor the implementation of the Declaration, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and encourages collaboration and contributions from Governments, the agencies of the United Nations system, indigenous peoples and civil society organizations to the Indigenous Navigator framework and other tools in order to strengthen community-based monitoring of global commitments made under the Declaration, the World Conference and the Sustainable Development Goals.^[12]

Further, the UNPFII recommended expanding the use of the Indigenous Navigator tools to monitor UNDRIP implementation, and the commitments made at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP), the SDGs, and also encouraging donors to continue supporting this invaluable data collection tool.^[13] 

In May, Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) organized a side event at the 26^th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 26) under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Kenya. The event focused on indicators in the monitoring framework of the KMGBF, which was a key discussion point at SBSTTA 26. The event was not exclusively on the Indigenous Navigator but more broadly on Indigenous-led monitoring and information systems, featuring the Indigenous Navigator and several other Indigenous-led initiatives. During SBSTTA 26, significant advocacy work was done to ensure recognition of the Indigenous Navigator as a key monitoring system for the KMGBF.^[14] This resulted in the Indigenous Navigator being featured prominently in several documents and in the recommendations that were taken to COP16 on how to implement the proposed monitoring framework.^[15]

In July, through the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG), the Indigenous Navigator supported the participation of six Indigenous representatives from Kenya, Belize, Nepal, Philippines, and Burkina Faso in the HLPF. They participated and intervened in the Expert Group Meeting on Collaborative Citizen Data where they recommended the recognition of community-generated data initiatives such as the Indigenous Navigator.

In October, Indigenous Navigator partners attended CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia. FPP hosted a workshop on the Indigenous Navigator's Biodiversity Module.^[16] The workshop and consultation with Indigenous representatives from Africa, Asia, and Latin and South America was aimed at enhancing community-based monitoring of the KMGBF. The workshop brought together Indigenous leaders, biodiversity experts, and human rights advocates to discuss and refine the draft Biodiversity Module. This module is designed to support a Human Rights-Based Approach and enhance Indigenous Peoples' programmes for collecting, analysing, and utilizing data that reflects their knowledge systems and priorities. The workshop aimed to develop a robust and responsive set of surveys (national and community) that will be instrumental in monitoring the implementation of the KMGBF and recognizing the contributions and rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In November, in collaboration with DIHR, AIPP organized a side event at the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.^[17] The purpose of this side event was to introduce the new Climate Change Module and gather input for it from Indigenous Peoples and their organizations from different regions. A representative from DIHR presented the development of the module and outlined the scope of climate change policies, the scope of climate change-related projects, and the two climate change surveys—national and community surveys—as well as the survey methodology, its domains, and other key aspects. It was also mentioned that the surveys could be used in various ways, including reporting to UN human rights bodies (such as the Universal Periodic Reviews, Treaty Bodies, and Special Procedures), or advocating for policy changes such as adaptation plans, National Determined Contributions, carbon credit policies, and green energy policies. Additionally, the relevance for sub-national dialogues on issues affecting Indigenous territories and for raising awareness of State human rights obligations toward Indigenous Peoples in the context of climate change was highlighted. Participants at the event shared their observations and suggestions, which subsequently contributed to the finalization of the module. Several participants also showed an interest in applying the survey within their Indigenous communities once it is finalized and accessible.^[18]

In November, in collaboration with the Indigenous Navigator partner in Colombia, Fundación Arte+, DIHR organized a workshop entitled “Alliances for improving the availability, quality and use of data on Indigenous Peoples in Colombia” in Bogotá, Colombia.^[19] The workshop was attended by 27 participants from the national Statistical Office of Colombia, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, and other representatives. The workshop provided a space for dialogue and interaction and for exploring possible complementarities between existing data from official sources and the data generated by Indigenous Peoples themselves. The dialogue set out both to discuss the importance of citizen-generated data and to reflect collectively on ways to facilitate a more participatory production of official data on Indigenous Peoples in Colombia. The workshop concluded with a roadmap, establishing key actions to improve the collection, use, and protection of data in Indigenous communities. It highlighted the importance of coordination between institutions, universities, Indigenous organizations, and local and international allies. It further proposed the creation of roundtable discussions to harmonize data collection methodologies, strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to manage their data, and ensure the return of information to the communities. Furthermore, it called for the inclusion of more Indigenous Peoples in these processes.^[20]

Community-led projects, fostering sustainable and self-determined growth

The Indigenous Navigator provides a small grants facility to support target Indigenous communities to define and design projects addressing the concrete needs that have been identified through an analysis of the results of the community surveys. These projects are based on the Indigenous communities’ own cultural values, traditional knowledge, and their visions for their own self-determined development. In 2023 and 2024, 39 small grant project proposals were developed by Indigenous communities, providing their solutions to the most pressing issues. In most cases, the projects are being implemented by the communities themselves. On a few occasions, the communities manage to obtain additional funds to co-fund projects, supported by the Indigenous Navigator. The projects focus on themes related to legal recognition; health and wellbeing; education, language and culture; income, production and food sovereignty; governance, leadership and institution; land tenure, environmental protection and access to natural resources; empowerment of women; empowerment of youth.

Ena Alvarado Madsen, Advisor, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and coordinator of the Indigenous Navigator.

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Notes and references 

^[1] See the Indigenous Navigator: https://indigenousnavigator.org/

^[2] Berger, David Nathaniel. “The Indigenous Navigator: Self-Determined Development” in The Indigenous World 2024, edited by Dwayne Mamo, pp 617-624. Copenhagen, Denmark: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), 2024. https://iwgia.org/en/the-indigenous-navigator-self-determined-development/5412-iw-2024-in.html

^[3] Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Finland, Guyana, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda.

^[4] Indigenous Navigator: https://indigenousnavigator.org/index-explorer

^[5] Each of the new modules consist of a national-level and a community-level survey.

^[6] Indigenous Navigator mid-term narrative report, January 2025. Prepared by DIHR. Unpublished.

^[7] United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Human Rights Indicators: A Guide for Measurement and Implementation.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/publications/policy-and-methodological-publications/human-rights-indicators-guide-measurement-and

^[8] UN Doc. CBD/COP/DEC/15/4, (19 December 2022): https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-15/cop-15-dec-04-en.pdf

^[9] Indigenous Navigator mid-term narrative report, January 2025. Prepared by AIPP. Unpublished.

^[10] Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. https://www.unescap.org/

^[11] Indigenous Navigator mid-term narrative report, January 2025. Prepared by AIPP. Unpublished.

^[12] United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Report on the twenty-third session (15–26 April 2024) https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/121/40/pdf/n2412140.pdf

^[13] Ibid and UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Highlights Indigenous Navigator with Key Recommendations

https://indigenousnavigator.org/news/un-permanent-forum-on-indigenous-issues-highlights-indigenous-navigator-with-key

^[14] Indigenous Navigator annual narrative report, July 2024. Prepared by FPP. Unpublished.

^[15] The revised guidance on the Monitoring Framework mentions the Indigenous Navigator no less than 16 times as a monitoring tool that is essential to recognizing the roles and contributions of Indigenous Peoples:

CBD, 16^th Conference of the Parties to the CBD, Revised guidance on using the indicators of the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, October 2024.

https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/80af/1256/4f0e7bc3a3263b61bc9c5093/cop-16-inf-03-en.pdf

See further: CBD, Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Joint programme of work on the links between biological and cultural diversity: review and update of the four adopted traditional knowledge indicators, November 2023.

https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/6cef/033f/90b2d461ecac9b1b93626b74/wg8j-12-06-rev1-en.pdf; UN Doc. CBD/SBSTTA/26/INF/11, (24 April 2024): https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/283e/eb7c/6a953a1e098b6c46e0f3be8d/sbstta-26-inf-11-en.pdf; UN Doc. CBD/SBSTTA/26/2, (30 March 2024): https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/d140/f363/5a2af2b9b67c9e69b645fb84/sbstta-26-02-en.pdf

^[16] See: Indigenous Navigator Consortium Joins COP16, in Calí, Colombia and Hosts Biodiversity Module Workshop https://indigenousnavigator.org/news/press-release-indigenous-navigator-cop16

^[17] See: Indigenous Navigator Consortium introduces climate change module at COP29

https://indigenousnavigator.org/news/press-release-indigenous-navigator-cop16

^[18] Indigenous Navigator mid-term narrative report, January 2025. Prepared by AIPP. Unpublished.

^[19] The Indigenous Navigator and Official Data: A Commitment to Dialogue and Interaction through Citizen Science:

https://indigenousnavigator.org/news/the-indigenous-navigator-and-official-data-a-commitment-to-dialogue-and-interaction-through

^[20] Indigenous Navigator mid-term narrative report, January 2025. Prepared by DIHR. Unpublished.

Tags: Global governance, International Processes