Chair, Distinguished Members of the Expert Mechanism, Fellow Delegates,

The Sámi Parliament of Norway wishes to emphasize the urgent need to protect the traditional Sámi economy—particularly reindeer husbandry—from increasing encroachments and structural weaknesses in national decision-making processes.

Reindeer husbandry is not only a livelihood—it is a way of life, a cultural foundation, and a manifestation of Sámi self-determination. Yet, it is under constant pressure from industrial development, infrastructure projects, and land-use changes. These pressures are not only physical—they are systemic.

One of the most pressing concerns in the past, aswell as in ongoing concultation procedures is the lack of independence in environmental impact assessments. In Norway, the project developer selects and pays the consultant who conducts the impact assessment. This creates a fundamental conflict of interest. As the Norwegian National Human Rights Institution has pointed out, this undermines trust and raises serious questions about the objectivity of the findings.

The Fosen case—where the Supreme Court of Norway found that wind power development violated Sámi cultural rights—has shown us that flawed assessments can lead to human rights violations. Yet, the structural issues remain unresolved.

The Sámi Parliament has repeatedly called for:

• Independent assessments, free from the influence of developers;
• The right of Sámi rights-holders to commission second opinions, especially when cumulative impacts are not adequately addressed;
• And mandatory inclusion of Sámi traditional knowledge in all assessments affecting our lands and livelihoods.

We also stress the need for certified reindeer husbandry expertise in assessments. Too often, consultants lack the necessary understanding of Sámi land use, seasonal patterns, and cultural practices. This leads to underestimation of impacts and erosion of rights.

Furthermore, Sámi traditional knowledge is rarely found in databases or reports. It lives in the experience of reindeer herders, in the land, and in the language. Real inclusion of this knowledge requires time, trust, and often the use of Sámi language. It also requires legal recognition—something that is still missing in Norway’s current regulations.

Chair, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms our right to maintain and develop our traditional economies and to participate in decision-making on matters affecting our rights. 

Thank you. Giitu