HRC51 - NB8 statement - Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Human Rights Council – 51st session

Item 3 - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Nordic – Baltic Statement, delivered by Denmark

28 September 2022

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark together with Greenland.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report.

The protection of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, including their science and technologies, languages and practices is inextricably linked to the rights to self-determination, autonomy, lands and resources.

The scientific and technical knowledge of Indigenous women has a key role to play in managing the risks and impacts of climate change, protecting biodiversity and achieving sustainable development. Generation after generation, Indigenous women pass on their knowledge, which is a precious inheritance. Not just to indigenous peoples, but to all of us.

Yet, despite Indigenous women’s irrefutable life-saving knowledge, they face unique challenges in retaining and revitalizing their role as knowledge keepers. Indigenous women are disproportionally affected by the loss of lands, territories and resources owing to climate change. Furthermore, they are still under-represented in consultative processes and political decision-making. This must change.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, what do you see as the most pressing steps to protect the scientific and technical knowledge of Indigenous women?