ICC Chair Calls on States to Increase Their Financial Support to the United Nations 

2 May 2024— The 23rd session of the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues concluded last week. Inuit Circumpolar Council participated with a strong delegation of leaders and youth. ICC put forward important recommendations on the promotion and implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and expressed concern about the ongoing defunding of the UN. 

The theme of this year’s UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues session; “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Self-determination in the Context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the Voices of Indigenous Youth”, provided a good opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, nationally, regionally, and globally. Although many achievements and improvements were celebrated, the forum session deliberations were clear testaments to the continued inequities Indigenous Peoples around the world face. Therefore, deep concerns about the ongoing austerity measures throughout the UN system were expressed. 

“Inuit Circumpolar Council express deep concern about the defunding of the United Nations in general, and of crucial initiatives and processes for Indigenous Peoples. The reduction in funding is poised to have a detrimental impact on essential work and achievements”, said ICC Chair Sara Olsvig, and continued: 

“Indigenous Peoples fought hard to establish the important UN mechanisms directly dealing with Indigenous Peoples, including the UN Permanent Forum, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. During the Permanent Forum session, we heard of the severe consequences of the defunding of the UN to the work of these mandates. The defunding results in fewer reports and studies, and more importantly, in fewer country visits, where the UN mandates travel directly to Indigenous Peoples’ homelands to learn and report on the human rights situation”. 

As an Indigenous Peoples Organization representing Inuit from across the Arctic, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) has held accreditation to the UN since 1983. Through hard work and advocacy, ICC has contributed to the negotiations on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as to the establishment of the UN mechanisms focused on Indigenous Peoples. 

“We call for re-strengthened institutional and financial support for the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Permanent Forum”, Olsvig stated during the deliberations on future work of the Permanent Forum. 

Furthermore, the ICC Chair called for the UN to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples, not only through the mechanisms set up for and by Indigenous Peoples. Olsvig also pointed to the work done by UN 

Inuit Circumpolar Council www.inuitcircumpolar.com 

Human Rights Treaty Bodies and called for financial support for all bodies to actively include the rights of Indigenous Peoples in their work. 

“Indigenous Peoples contributions throughout the UN has for decades strengthened the results of the UN’s work, for the benefit of all peoples. We call for adequate funding for the UN Treaty Bodies to fully and effectively implement the rights of Indigenous Peoples in their work and reporting, as well as in developing General Recommendations on Indigenous Peoples under their mandates”. 

The Inuit Circumpolar Council was established in 1977 to unite Inuit and promote their rights and voices on the international arena. ICC actively participates in numerous UN processes, including under the Human Rights Council procedures, the climate, environmental, and biodiversity-related negotiations, as well as in the shipping and marine governance procedures. 

Additional Facts: 

• In recent years, several states have decreased their financial contributions to the UN, resulting in severe austerity measures across the UN. 
• At the UN Permanent Forum session, the austerity measures were evident, for example through the lack of interpretation for the forum members when they worked on reporting. 
• The austerity measures result in fewer reports and studies, as well as in fewer country visits in the work of monitoring the human rights situation. 

See also, the UN public announcement about the defunding: 

https://www.ungeneva.org/en/about/practical-information/psa-energy-conservation-measures

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