A/80/181 urgent need for renewed investment in human rights mechanisms in order to ensure their effectiveness and uphold the norms-based international order. 13. From 2 to 5 May, the Special Rapporteur participated in the eighty -third ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, held in Banjul. On that occasion, he praised the Commission’s leadership in shaping the human rights framework for Indigenous Peoples in Africa. He emphasized the unique human rights-based definition of Indigenous Peoples in Africa, one that was rooted in addressing systemic discrimination and land dispossession, and highlighted his mandate to amplify Indigenous voices, conduct thematic studies, engage in country visits and submit communications. Amid growing global threats to human rights, he called for a renewed commitment to equality, non-discrimination and international solidarity, urging the Commission to lead efforts in defending those principles. He held formal meetings with the Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa to discuss venues for joint activities and collaboration. 14. On 7 May, the Special Rapporteur participated in an online training session on Indigenous Peoples, business and human rights organized by Indigenous Livelihood Enhancement Partners. He contributed to the segment on the topic “Advancing business and human rights in the work of special procedures and global/regional human rights mechanisms”, covering numerous other mandates and regional human rights mechanisms. He provided a summary of recurrent abuses and violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the context of business activities. 15. On 14 May, the Special Rapporteur travelled to Brussels to engage in dialogue with the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament. In his statement, he urged the European Union to lead global efforts to reaffirm human rights, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, amid growing global instability. He highlighted the increasing criminalization of Indigenous Peoples, the risks posed by extractive industries and green transition projects on Indigenous lands, and the need for stronger protections such as free, prior and informed consent. He also outlined the priorities of his mandate and called upon the European Union to align its policies with international standards for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including by revising the Critical Raw Materials Act to fully respect free, prior and informed consent. 16. From 24 to 28 May, the Special Rapporteur attended the first World Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities of Forest Basins, which was organized by the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities in Brazzaville. As the keynote speaker, he provided an overview of international standards concerning Indigenous Peoples, highlighted recent developments and addressed key challenges faced across regions. He chaired a session entitled “Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur”, in which representatives of Indigenous Peoples presented country -specific situations. 17. From 14 to 16 June, the Special Rapporteur visited the Cauca region of Colombia, for the Global Indigenous Land Forum organized by the International Land Coalition and hosted by the organization Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca. In his statement, he emphasized the urgent need to secure Indigenous Peoples’ land rights through proper identification, documentation, demarcation, registration and titling. Drawing on global consultations and regional visits, he highlighted systemic challenges across all continents, from weak legal protections and forced evictions to criminalization of land defenders and exclusion from governance. He underscored that Indigenous land rights are not just legal obligations, but are essential for peace, cultural survival and environmental stewardship. Despite ongoing threats, he pointed to successful community-led initiatives in such countries as the United Republic of Tanzania and the Philippines as models of hope. He called for international solidarity and action to ensure self-determination and justice for Indigenous Peoples. 25-11701 5/21