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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Twenty-Fourth Session<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Monday, 21 April 2025, 10 a.m.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \n (As Delivered by Vice-President H.E. Viliami Va\u2019inga Tone)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \n \n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is my pleasure to address the 24th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I warmly welcome the Indigenous Peoples present here today.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I congratulate the Chair on her election and wish all of you a productive and meaningful session.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This Forum remains a vital platform\u2014not only to celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of Indigenous Peoples\u2014but to hear from them directly.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To learn from their wisdom.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And to better understand the challenges they face, and the aspirations they hold.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That understanding enables us to craft more effective policies to support their needs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, offers a universal framework for advancing the rights, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous Peoples everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This vision aligns closely with one of the central priorities of my Presidency: the protection of human rights and dignity for everyone, everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Forum\u2019s theme – implementing the Declaration within Member States and across the United Nations system – is timely and urgent.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the call for action has never been clearer.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That call was echoed last September with the adoption of the Pact for the Future\u2014an agreement to revitalise multilateralism and accelerate sustainable development.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Pact reaffirms the need to recognize, respect, promote, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their lands, territories, and ecosystems.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Equally important are the pledges to safeguard their traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To ensure their full participation in public life.<\/span><\/p>\n And to uphold their right to be meaningfully involved in matters that affect them, as determined by law and in accordance with international human rights obligations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Indeed, there has been progress.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Several Member States have taken concrete measures and made progress to uphold and promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples and to involve them in decision-making in matters that affect them<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples have been integrated at national, regional and global levels.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nationally, Indigenous Peoples\u2019 rights have been recognized in Constitutions and laws in several countries.<\/span><\/p>\n Such efforts are in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the principle of leaving no one behind.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet much more remains to be done.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nearly two decades after the adoption of the Declaration, its implementation remains incomplete.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Concrete action is still lacking.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many Member States, United Nations entities, and stakeholders must go further.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By developing national action plans, amending laws, and building institutions in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Indigenous communities continue to face the harshest impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, and limited access to education and healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These persistent disparities demand urgent, sustained attention.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This session offers us a chance to confront the challenges and deliver on the Declaration.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We need real, tangible action.<\/span><\/p>\n Action that advances equality, protects cultural heritage, and empowers all Indigenous Peoples \u2013 women and men, to shape their own futures.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indigenous Peoples must have the right to set their own priorities\u2014while preserving their cultures, traditions, and identities.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They deserve not only to be heard, but to live lives of dignity, peace, and well-being, grounded in justice and equality.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This session must be more than a forum for dialogue.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It must be a moment of resolve.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let us seize this moment to translate the promise of the Declaration into meaningful change to uphold the rights and dignity of Indigenous Peoples and leave no one behind.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n ___<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: <\/span>birchs@un.org<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations, M: +1 917 361 4990, Email: <\/span>mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0: <\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>: \u00a0<\/span><\/u>YouTube: <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>\u00a0<\/span><\/u>X (Twitter):<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>\u00a0<\/span><\/u>Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>: \u00a0<\/span><\/u>LinkedIn: <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>\u00a0<\/span><\/u>Photo Repository<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>: <\/span><\/u>Bluesky<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>; <\/span><\/u>Weekly Highlights<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/u>: <\/span><\/u>