Min. Sukhai tells UN forum: Investing in Indigenous Peoples essential to achieving SDGs

INVESTING in Indigenous Peoples is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and creating a more inclusive and equitable world.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, expressed these sentiments while delivering remarks at the 22nd Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The session is themed “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health, and climate change: a rights-based approach.”

Minister Sukhai said: “The full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is important in addressing the systemic inequalities and discrimina- tion they face.”

She said the theme for this year’s forum underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the complex and intercon - nected challenges experienced by Indigenous Peoples.

It was highlighted that they face severe vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation,