El Mundo Indígena 2025: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Indigenous Peoples

Written on 25 April 2025. Posted in The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples have been engaging in relevant processes on sustainable development since the Earth Summit (Rio Conference) in 1992. The main advocacy agenda issues for Indigenous Peoples in these processes are respect for, protection and fulfilment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples as affirmed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),^[1] as well as the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of action plans and programmes on sustainable development at all levels.

The main coordination mechanism of Indigenous Peoples in the sustainable development process is the Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG),^[2] which is currently coordinated by Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education)^[3] and the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC),^[4] both of which also act as the facilitators/co-convenors and Organizing Partners (OPs) accredited by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)^[5] as part of the nine recognized Major Groups that can officially participate in the SDG processes at the global level.

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

High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024

The theme for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024 was “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions”.^[6] The HLPF 2024 conducted in-depth reviews of the following goals: Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 2: Zero hunger; Goal 13: Climate action; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; and Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals. Thirty-six countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), sharing their progress on the 2030 Agenda: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belize, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Palau, Peru, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

In the HLPF, the Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG) was able to facilitate the participation of eight Indigenous Peoples’ representatives coming from one of the VNR countries. Participating Indigenous Peoples stated that the VNR reports of their respective countries did not fully reflect the realities on the ground, particularly for many Indigenous Peoples. They are excluded from decision-making on matters affecting them and development policies and projects continue to be imposed on their territories, resulting in displacements and further marginalization of the affected Indigenous communities. The statements^[7] delivered by Indigenous Peoples’ representatives who attended the HLPF emphasized the impacts on Indigenous Peoples of continuing and increasing conflicts in the Sub-Saharan region, the affected communities who are at the forefront of combatting the impacts of climate change, and the imposition of climate solutions that do not address the root causes of climate change or the injustices wrought upon Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples further called on States to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in decision-making processes and the implementation of the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is imperative to ensure that development interventions are aligned with the self-determined development of Indigenous Peoples.

The increasing reprisals and shrinking space for civil society engagement at the country level and even in some global events is alarming. Even so, civil society and marginalized groups, including Indigenous Peoples, persist in their efforts to achieve sustainable development. The report^[8] of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders particularly highlights the contributions made by human rights defenders in achieving the SDGs. This is very timely as it provides States with concrete examples of how human rights defenders are key contributors and partners in the achievement of the SDGs. The IPMG made a submission that referred particularly to the contribution of Indigenous Peoples to SDG 7 through Indigenous Peoples-led renewable energy initiatives and the enhanced data disaggregation of Indigenous Peoples’ data-related initiatives, such as the Indigenous Navigator.^[9]

Prior to the HLPF, Indigenous Peoples’ engagement in the regional preparatory processes for the HLPF, particularly in the Asia and Pacific region, was sustained and the IPMG continued to play a key role in the VNR Task Group of the Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS). This was particularly the case when coordinating the drafting of the civil society statement for Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

In the 2024 VNR Synthesis Report,^[10] only Vanuatu made specific mention of Indigenous Peoples, particularly “how Indigenous practices are being woven into disaster preparedness and environmental management, contributing to national resilience building efforts”.^[11] Vanuatu likewise mentioned collaboration with key institutions such as the Malvatumauri (National Council of Chiefs) in ensuring that traditional knowledge complements contemporary strategies for addressing environmental challenges. The report mentions how the continuing unevenness of the institutionalization of the SDGs among countries and the gap in data disaggregation, particularly on race, ethnicity, and disability “continue to undermine accuracy and inclusiveness of SDG monitoring”.^[12]

Inclusive participation in the SDG process remains a challenge, especially for Indigenous Peoples. Multi-stakeholder platforms, public private partnerships, and consultations with civil society are increasing but there is still a big gap in terms of deeper engagement with the people and communities, including Indigenous Peoples. This is not only in the review of the country’s implementation of the SDGs but more importantly how their needs and priorities are reflected in the state’s development priorities and programmes and their involvement in decision-making processes affecting them.

Engagement of the IPMG in the lead-up to the Summit of the Future

The IPMG has been engaging in the negotiations of the outcome document for the Summit of the Future, particularly in the Pact for the Future and partly in the Global Digital Compact. In the final adopted text of the Pact,^[13] the following references to Indigenous Peoples were made:

“Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Cooperation: ACTION 32. WE WILL PROTECT, BUILD ON AND COMPLEMENT INDIGENOUS, TRADITIONAL AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

We recognize the need for science, technology and innovation to be adapted and made relevant to local needs and circumstances, including for local communities, traditional Afrodescendent populations, and Indigenous Peoples, in line with the principle of free, prior and informed consent, as appropriate. We decide to:

• Foster synergies between science and technology and traditional, local, Afrodescendent and Indigenous knowledge, systems, practices and capacities.

Transforming Global Governance: ACTION 55. WE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS TO DELIVER ON EXISTING COMMITMENTS AND ADDRESS NEW AND EMERGING CHALLENGES.

We recognize the importance of the United Nations engagement with national parliaments and relevant stakeholders, while preserving the intergovernmental character of the Organization. The challenges we face require cooperation not only across borders but also across the whole of society. Our efforts must involve Governments as well as parliaments, the United Nations system and other international institutions, local authorities, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, business and the private sector, faith-based organizations, the scientific and academic communities, and all people to ensure an effective response to our common challenges.

 (Annex I: Global Digital Compact) Digital Literacy and Skills: We commit by 2030 to

• Target and tailor capacity-building for women and girls, children and youth, as well as older persons, persons with disabilities, mi- grants, refugees and internally displaced persons, Indigenous Peoples and those in vulnerable situations, and ensure their meaningful engagement in the design and implementation of programmes (SDGs 5 and 10);
• Develop and undertake national digital inclusion surveys with data disaggregated by income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migration status, disability and geographical location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts, to identify learning gaps and inform priorities in specific contexts (SDGs 5 and 10);

(Annex II: Declaration on Future Generations) Commitments: (16) Recognize, respect, promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, their territories, lands and ecosystems, while safeguarding their traditions, spiritual beliefs and ancestral knowledge, strengthen their distinct political, legal, eco- nomic social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State; and ensure their right to participation in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights, as determined by law and in accordance with international human rights obligations.”

IPMG Critique on Action 55: The text emphasizes its intergovernmental nature and makes mention of meaningful participation in relevant UN processes and ongoing dialogue and exchange of information but does not mention the strengthening of partnerships and recognizing the roles and contributions each plays in addressing common challenges.

While culture was also mentioned in the Pact for the Future, it still does not reflect the recommendation made by Indigenous Peoples on culture to be recognized as the fourth pillar of sustainable development.

Post Summit of the Future, there is still no clarity on the direction of the Pact for the Future and its annexes and how it complements the current implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Engagement with the Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) and the wider civil society in the negotiations

Participation of the MGoS and other civil society organizations was limited to some in-person but mostly virtual consultations only with the co-facilitators of the Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations. The MGoS were not included in the informal dialogues when the texts were being negotiated by States, the States’ reasoning being that the space for civil society is the Civil Society Conference that was held in Nairobi last May 2024.^[14] This event was highly criticized by many civil society organizations as it became an excuse by the States not to engage civil society in the informal dialogues, and the Impact Coalitions established were seen as a duplication of already existing processes for partnership and engagement with civil society. The recent draft of the Pact for the Future and its annexes was not made available during the Civil Society Conference, and it was already late in the process as the negotiations on the text had already undergone several consultations with States and major revisions to the text. Only the co-facilitators of the outcome documents being negotiated and some States funding the event in Nairobi attended. There were few Indigenous Peoples’ representatives in the conference and the MGoS had to raise funds to be able to fund civil society representatives from other regions. It was not clear how the recommendations from the Nairobi Conference were integrated into the drafts of the Pact for the Future or its annexes.

The whole process of producing the Pact for the Future seems to have been more of a distraction to the more important task at hand, which is ensuring that the implementation of the SDGs is on track given that the majority of the goals are not and are further regressing as an impact of, inter alia, the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing conflicts.

The Liquidity Crisis in the UN^[15] has also greatly impacted the participation of Indigenous Peoples and civil society in general as those interested in participating in relevant sustainable development processes often have to fundraise on their own to be able to participate.

Advocating for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ initiatives in collecting, managing, and utilizing their own data

Indigenous Peoples have been consistently calling for the recognition of citizen-generated data, including Indigenous Peoples’ own data, to supplement and complement reports from States to UN agencies on the implementation of the SDGs as well as on States’ international human rights obligations. One promising initiative to advance Indigenous Peoples’ data-related initiatives is the Collaborative on Citizen Data initiative.^[16] This is a multi-stakeholder collaborative of countries and regional and international agencies aimed at establishing a platform for collaboration and exchange of experiences and to advance the work on citizens’ contributions of data to address the critical data gaps, especially for groups suffering from marginalization. The IPMG and Indigenous Peoples’ representatives participated in the Expert Group meeting held by this initiative in July 2024 and proposed recommendations in relation to the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ data-related initiatives and ensuring data sovereignty for Indigenous Peoples. Engagement of the IPMG in this initiative will be maintained to ensure that data from Indigenous Peoples will be recognized in order to strengthen the visibility of the challenges Indigenous Peoples face and their important contributions to sustainable development.

High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025

The theme of the HLPF 2025 is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.^[17] The HLPF will conduct in-depth reviews of five SDGs: SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; and SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

The following countries will also present their VNRs: Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, Gambia (Republic of the), Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, South Africa, State of Palestine, Sudan, Suriname, and Thailand.

Article prepared by Robie Halip from the Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group for Sustainable Development.

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] United Nations. “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. 2007. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf

^[2] See: Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG), https://indigenouspeoples-sdg.org/index.php/english/

^[3] See: TEBTEBBA, https://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/about/who-we-are

^[4] See: International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), https://www.iitc.org/

^[5] See: UNDESA, https://www.un.org/en/desa

^[6] United Nations. “Annual theme of the 2024 session of the Economic and Social Council and the 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the set of Sustainable Development Goals to be reviewed by the High-Level Political Forum in 2024. 2023. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/4005535?ln=en

^[7] See: https://indigenouspeoples-sdg.org/index.php/english/all-resources/ipmg-position-papers-and-publications/ipmg-statements-and-interventions

^[8] United Nations General Assembly. “Situation of human rights defenders.” 9 July 2024. https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/123

^[9] See: Indigenous Navigator, https://indigenousnavigator.org/

^[10] UNDESA. “2024 Voluntary National Reviews Synthesis Report.” 2024. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/VNR%202024%20Synthesis%20Report.pdf

^[11] Ibid., page 28

^[12] Ibid., page 32

^[13] United Nations. Summit of the Future Outcome Document – Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations”. September 2024. https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-pact_for_the_future_adopted.pdf

^[14] See: The 2024 UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, 9-10 May, https://www.un.org/en/civilsociety/2024uncsc

^[15] See: The Secretary-General, 25 January 2024, https://www.un.org/pga/wp-content/uploads/sites/108/2024/01/SG-Letter-on-Liquidity-Crisis.pdf

^[16] UNDESA. “Collaborative on Citizen Data”. N.d. https://unstats.un.org/UNSDWebsite/citizen-data/

^[17] See: High-Level Political Forum 2025, https://hlpf.un.org/2025

Tags: Global governance, Climate, International Processes