22.04.2025 Joint Nordic Statement at UNPFII24

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Chair,

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

The Nordic countries reaffirm our full and firm commitment to the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples is of paramount importance.  Together with other international human rights instruments, it provides a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of all Indigenous Peoples.

Despite this, Indigenous Peoples are still fighting discrimination and land dispossessions, in many parts of the world. They are often suffering from shrinking democratic space, evictions and severe negative consequences of climate change and ill construed conservation efforts. Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately overrepresented among the poor and extremely poor.

The internationally recognised rights of Indigenous Peoples did not fall from the sky. They required a long and hard struggle. It is evident that we must persist, enhance, and accelerate our collective efforts to protect these rights which are under constant threat.

The Nordic countries believe the right to participation is a key element of the right to self-determination and hence highlights the need for all of us to progress. We need decisions and concrete actions to enhance Indigenous Peoples’ full and effective participation in the UN system in all decisions affecting them. We will continue our efforts to advance this agenda in all relevant fora including here in New York on the “Enhanced participation” agenda. In this regard, we welcome the work of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions.

Let me conclude by reiterating our full support for the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. We commend the Forum’s valuable contribution to promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Thank you.