Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

25 April 2022

 

Excellencies, friends,

Thank you for inviting me to address the opening of the 21st session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. I congratulate the chair on the election, and I wish the members of the Permanent Forum a successful session.

I also warmly welcome the indigenous people present today. For the first time in three years, we have been able to hold this forum in person at the United Nations, and we are delighted to receive you at the hall.

Excellencies,

Today, we celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity that indigenous communities represent. As we do so, we also acknowledge the many challenges they face, and reaffirm the importance of protecting their rights and well-being.

The United Nations has a critical role to play in this regard. I have made protecting the rights of all – including indigenous peoples – one of the core priorities of my Presidency of Hope.

Other priorities I have emphasized for this session include rebuilding sustainably; and responding to the needs of the planet.

In meeting those goals, we have much to learn from indigenous communities. For generations, indigenous people and communities have prioritized living respectfully with nature and the Earth, in a relationship grounded in reciprocity and balance.

By emulating their example on a broader scale, we can preserve the earth’s rich biodiversity and diverse landscapes. With their input and involvement, we will be better positioned to meet the SDGs while leaving no one behind.

Throughout these efforts, it is vital that we empower and recognize indigenous women, who play a critical role in strengthening their communities. They must have a voice in matters that affect them.

Excellencies,

This year also marks the beginning of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, running from 2022 to 2032. Throughout this decade we will place emphasis on recognizing the variety and richness of indigenous languages.

While it’s well known that indigenous people comprise less than 5% of the global population but protect 80% of global biodiversity, it’s a lesser known fact that high linguistic diversity occurs where conditions for biological diversity thrive. It’s the richness of one that sustains the other.

Moreover, there is growing scientific evidence that indigenous languages that are rich in oral traditions offer evidence for events that happened thousands of years ago. By preserving and promoting these languages, we preserve and promote an important part of our human heritage, identity and belonging.

As we acknowledge indigenous communities’ linguistic and cultural contributions, let us also commit to do right by them. We have an obligation to ensure that they can participate in and benefit from the work of the United Nations.

They deserve to have their voices heard – including in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Member States will benefit from considering their perspectives and input, which will enrich our deliberations.

I am happy to note that the United Nations continues to play a positive role in advancing the rights of indigenous peoples.

We must build upon our common achievements to uphold the principles of the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Rest assured that my personal commitment to implement the mandates related to indigenous people will be unwavering.

I wish you all a very successful forum.

I thank you.