Giitu – Thank you Chair,

I give the statement on behalf of the Sámi Parliament in Norway. We share the pride of the world’s Indigenous Peoples achievements of the past decades, including the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration secures the rights of Indigenous Peoples and serves as a minimum standard for the States to follow. However, in many countries the implementation of the Declaration is still lacking.

We recall that eleven years ago, at the world conference, Norway amongst other States, voted for the States responsibilities to implement the Declaration.

The Sami Parliament have repeatedly asked the Norwegian Government, to make a national action plan for the implementation of the Declaration. Even though many times requested, no serious steps have been taken to implement the Declaration in Norwegian law.

Chair,

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has numerous of recommendations that strongly urges States to develop their own national action plans for the full implementation of the Declaration.

EMRIP has recently delivered its report on their country engagement mission to Norway, also recommending that Norway should improve its implementation of the content of the Declaration and to develop an action plan. This includes improving the incorporation of free, prior, and informed consent into key legislations.

The climate crisis deeply affects our lands, waters and people. At the same time, others are claiming Indigenous lands in the name of the green transition. This affects our traditional livelihoods, the health of our people, and the hope and possibilities our future generations. Climate solutions need to be based on justice.

The Declaration includes tools that will enable a just transition, including Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination and the free, prior and informed consent. More states need to implement these tools, so we jointly can seek just climate solutions. 

In conclusion,

We see an urgent need to better implement the Declaration at national levels. We ask the Forum to call on the States, including Norway, to fulfil their commitments from the World Conference.

We also ask the permanent forum to continue its efforts and its guidance of member states on the implementation of the Declaration.

Olu giitu – Thank you!