Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ms. Joan Carling, delivered a strong statement on indigenous peoples’ rights, participation and institutions during the interactive dialogue on “Building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions” at the Sustainable Development Summit.

The Summit that took place from 25-27th of September in the UN Headquarters in New York brought together more than 150 world leaders as well as representatives from civil society, the private sector, UN agencies and other stakeholders in order to adopt the 2030 agenda and its 17 sustainable development goals. The 2030 agenda sets a universal and transformative framework for the next 15 years in order to end poverty and ensure sustainable development, where no one is left behind.

In her statement, Ms. Joan Carling highlighted what truly effective, accountable and inclusive institutions would mean for indigenous peoples. She called for Member States to live up to their international obligations under the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples and take concrete action to ensure institutions and mechanisms for the effective participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making at all levels, institutional reforms and mechanisms of enforcement, as well as special measures to ensure the economic, political and social empowerment of indigenous peoples.

To see the full statement, see the UN webtv channel. Ms. Joan Carling speaks 54 minutes in to the dialogue.