10 July 2017

Mr. Chairperson,
Distinguished members of the Expert Mechanism,
High Commissioner,
Distinguished representatives of indigenous peoples and governments,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure and honour that I open the tenth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I would like to welcome all of the members of the Expert Mechanism, and especially its new members Ms. Kristen Carpenter, Ms. Megan Davis and Ms. Laila Vars, as well as the different delegations attending this session as observers, including national human rights institutions. I would also like to welcome Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and Ms. Anne Nuorgam, the representative of the Board of Trustees of the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples.

The participation of and partnerships with indigenous peoples in United Nations processes is essential in our work to advance the rights of indigenous peoples. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all indigenous representatives and acknowledge the participation of 20 beneficiaries of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. On behalf of the Human Rights Council, I would also like to thank the States that have supported the Fund.

Distinguished participants,

The Human Rights Council welcomes the important work undertaken by the Expert Mechanism and carefully considers the proposals that it submits for consideration. This is reflected in the thematic study on Good practices and challenges, including discrimination, in business and in access to financial services by indigenous peoples, which you will be finalizing during the present session. We also appreciate the most recent study and advice that the Expert Mechanism submitted to the Council, which focused on the right to health.

In accordance with one of the proposals from your ninth session, the Council will hold during its thirty-sixth session a half-day panel discussion on the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on challenges and good practices in efforts to achieve the ends of the Declaration.

Despite some notable successes over the past ten years, challenges persist. In particular, frustrations have been expressed that the adoption of the Declaration has not been adequately followed up with concrete action at the national level. To this end, I look forward to the discussion at this session on the implementation of the Declaration during the ten years since its adoption, and the presentation of the Expert Mechanism’s draft report on good practices and lessons learned regarding efforts to achieve the ends of the Declaration.

As you know, the mandate of the Expert Mechanism was amended in September 2016. Under this revised mandate, the Expert Mechanism will provide the Human Rights Council with expertise and advice on the rights of indigenous peoples as set out in the Declaration, and assist Member States, upon request, in achieving the ends of the Declaration through the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the rights of indigenous peoples. The revised mandate will allow the Expert Mechanism to more effectively promote respect for the Declaration, in particular at the national and local level. The Human Rights Council looks forward to this new chapter and stands ready to support the Expert Mechanism as its new mandate unfolds. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the stakeholders, in particular the indigenous peoples, who participated in the consultations for the review of the mandate in a spirit of cooperation and transparent dialogue.

Dear colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Indigenous peoples in all regions of the world face significant challenges arising from a range of factors, in particular widespread discrimination. These challenges impact multiple aspects of their lives, including their access to financial services and their options to become involved in business activities. Indigenous women and indigenous persons with disabilities are particularly affected due to the barriers they face in many areas of their life, which create situations of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

In this regard, the Council is looking forward to considering at its upcoming 36th session the Expert Mechanism’s study on good practices and challenges, including discrimination, in business and access to financial services by indigenous peoples.
I wish you all a very successful week.

Thank you.