UN Global Compact Highlights Role of Business in Respecting and Supporting Rights of Indigenous Peoples at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

(New York, 21 May 2014) – Today, the UN Global Compact hosted an event on the role of business and the rights of indigenous peoples during the 13th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), held 12-23 May at UN Headquarters. 

For the first time, the Global Compact presented its Business Reference Guide to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Good Practice Note on Free, Prior, and Informed Consent to participants of UNPFII. Opening the meeting, Ursula Wynhoven, General Counsel and Chief of Governance and Social Sustainability at the UN Global Compact said: "These two resources point the way to a new paradigm for engaging with indigenous communities, one based on understanding, respect and support for their rights with sustainable value for those communities and for business."

Member of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Grand Chief Ed John said: “My advice for business is simple. If you come to someone's house, you ask permission to enter. If you want to come into our land, which is our home, you should ask to enter. You will likely be welcome and invited in, but how long you stay will depend on how you conduct yourself”.

Today’s meeting marked the end of a series of events convened by the Global Compact during the two-week Forum.  On 16 May, the Global Compact co-hosted a workshop with ICMM aimed at exploring challenges and promoting good practice around indigenous peoples and mining . A second workshop, convened on 20 May with First Peoples Worldwide and Future500, brought together businesses to engage in peer-to-peer learning on practical strategies for strengthening genuine engagement with indigenous communities.

Participants in all of these multi-stakeholder events were highly engaged and shared perspectives on challenges and emerging good practice on working with indigenous peoples in ways that respect and support their rights.

• Download The Business Reference Guide to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Download Good Practice Note on Indigenous Peoples' Rights and the Role of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
• Find additional resources on business and indigenous peoples’ rights here: /Issues/human_rights/indigenous_peoples_rights.html

Contact

Michelle Lau
Human Rights and Social Sustainability Advisor
UN Global Compact
lau@unglobalcompact.org