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lectures, he focused on the core principles underpinning the international norm of
equality among States and individuals, which he recognized as a fundamental pillar
supporting international stability and fostering friendly relations among nations.
8.
On 27 March, the Special Rapporteur was the keynote presenter at an online
workshop with Kanak Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific, organized by the OHCHR
Regional Office for the Pacific and Geneva-based experts. The event brought together
participants from Kanak communities and focused on international instruments and
mechanisms relating to Indigenous Peoples. He provided an overview of the primary
activities related to his mandate and outlined ways in which organizations,
representatives and communities of Indigenous Peoples could engage with it. He also
discussed jurisprudence relevant to Indigenous Peoples.
9.
Also on 27 March, the Special Rapporteur served as the lead speaker at an online
meeting with Indigenous and civil society organizations from Eastern Africa,
organized by the Regional Office of OHCHR in Nairobi. His presentation and
subsequent discussions addressed the conceptualization of Indigenous Peoples in
Africa and examined the human rights challenges that they encounter across the
continent. He also highlighted emerging best practices pertaining to the protection
and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa.
10. On 10 April, the Special Rapporteur took part in an online webinar training
session focused on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia. The event was organized by the Diplomacy
Training Program, which is based in Australia. Almost 100 people participated in the
webinar. He made a presentation on key substantive issues covered by the
Declaration. The Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray,
also participated as a keynote speaker, focusing on ongoing initiatives undertaken by
the State of Victoria in relation to Indigenous Peoples.
11. From 20 to 30 April, the Special Rapporteur attended the twenty -fourth session
of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held at United Nations Headquarters
in New York. He participated in 10 side events and 2 major live media programmes
and held 25 bilateral meetings. In addition, when delivering his statement in the
human rights dialogue of the Permanent Forum, he emphasized the urgent need for
stronger recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, particularly
regarding land demarcation, legal recognition and protection from criminalization and
violence. He highlighted such systemic challenges as underfunding, political
resistance and environmental exploitation, while calling for a renewed global
commitment to human rights and Indigenous inclusion in peace and security efforts.
Despite those challenges, he expressed hope in the active engagement of young
Indigenous leaders and called for reinvestment in human rights mechanisms.
12. In the same statement, the Special Rapporteur underscored the importance of
holding the human rights dialogue during the first week of the session of the
Permanent Forum, when most participants were still present in New York. The high
cost of accommodation and living in the city made it financially unfeasible for many
representatives of Indigenous Peoples to stay for the full two weeks. He also
expressed deep concern over the continued decline in financial resources allocated to
United Nations human rights mechanisms, particularly those dedicated to Indigenous
Peoples. In 2024, due to funding constraints, mandate holders of the Human Rights
Council had been unable to conduct a second country visit, a situation that persisted
in 2025. In particular, both the current and former mandate holders had participated
in the Permanent Forum using funding from outside the United Nations, even though
their presence was mandated in a resolution of the Council. 1 He emphasized the
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Resolution 51/16, para. 2 (e).
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