Joint Nordic statement by Denmark together with Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland

Agenda item 5d: Human rights dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Annual review of the progress on the implementation of general recommendation No. 39 on the rights of Indigenous women and girls, delivered by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations on 22 April 2024

Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of Denmark together with Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland.

We greatly appreciate this opportunity to engage with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as with the distinguished members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We commend you for your commitment and excellent work during the past year. 

Mr. Special Rapporteur, we thank you for the most recent reports to the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, focusing on the impacts of green financing and tourism to the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Nordic countries highly value the reports’ analysis and recommendations.

Indigenous Peoples play a crucial role in the global effort to address environmental challenges and combat climate change. As you have noted, the financing of climate and biodiversity targets must take into account the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is the only way to ensure just transition. We couldn’t agree more on the need to ensure a human-rights-based approach in all actions related to climate and biodiversity.

We do acknowledge that there is still work to be done in our own countries in reaching this goal.

 

Chair,

It remains a joint priority of all Nordic countries to ensure gender equality and that women and girls, including Indigenous women and girls in all their diversity, enjoy full human rights.

The general recommendation number 39 of The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women sets a basis for actions to improve the situation of Indigenous women and girls. We call for gender-transformative approaches from all actors – the Member States, international organizations, NGOs, businesses and all other stakeholders.

 

Chair,

The Nordic countries remain strongly committed to the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council, GA and other UN fora. We trust that concrete steps forward will be taken this year, both in Geneva and here in New York. The full use of the expertise of both the Special Rapporteur and the Expert Mechanism will be critical in ensuring tangible results.

Thank you.