Organization of American States Summits of the Americas
     
Follow-up and Implementation: Mandates
 

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INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
MANDATES

  1. To advance the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forest and Land Use, national deforestation and conservation commitments, and regional efforts to halt and reverse deforestation and conserve, sustainably manage, and use ecosystems, we commit to strengthen our efforts to:

    • a. Work, with the support of regional and subregional organizations, to stimulate sustainable development and promote equal opportunity for populations affected by climate change, including indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting, preserving, and maintaining knowledge, innovations, and practices embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, subject to domestic legislation;

    • f. Strengthen the protection of human rights defenders, particularly indigenous peoples and local communities working on environmental matters, in collaboration with stakeholders, to draw up and approve plans by the Tenth Summit of the Americas to: 1) respond to and collect information from environmental defenders about threats or incidences of violence, in keeping with domestic legislation; 2) enact, as appropriate, and enforce laws to protect human rights defenders working on environmental matters and the resources they defend; and 3) carry out and implement environmental assessments, according to existing domestic legislation;

    • h. Achieve significant increases in finance and investments from a wide variety of public and private, and international cooperation sources to enhance sustainable forest management, forest conservation and restoration, and support for Indigenous peoples and local communities. (Our Sustainable Green Future, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

  1. To decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere from agricultural, forestry, mining, and other land-use sectors, we commit to:

    • d. Support indigenous peoples, farmers, and/or other people working and living in rural communities in strengthening their capacities to improve adaptation and mitigation, to counter the consequences of climate change, fostering actions to reduce emissions, promoting actions that have a beneficial impact on ecosystems, and promoting climatesmart and sustainable farming; (Our Sustainable Green Future, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

  1. Emphasize the need to incorporate an inclusive approach in the processes of digitalization, democratization, and decentralization, within the sustainable and just energy transition strategies of our countries, taking into account gender equity and equality, empowerment of women, and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, people of African descent, and persons with disabilities. (Accelerating the Clean, Sustainable, Renewable, and Just Energy Transition, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

  1. Recognize, respect, and protect the rights of all, in accordance with those international treaties to which each state is party and in accordance with its domestic legislation, with a particular emphasis on:

    • a. Indigenous and tribal peoples and their inherent rights, cultures, and traditions, as affirmed in treaties and other agreements or arrangements with States and, consistent with domestic legislation and international law, through their own representative institutions, and in accordance with their own procedures; (Inter-American Action Plan on Democratic Governance, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

  1. Generate initiatives that arise from the priorities of indigenous peoples, persons of African descent, women and girls and other historically marginalized groups, as well as groups in vulnerable situations, to promote development for all persons, within the framework of intercultural dialogue. (Inter-American Action Plan on Democratic Governance, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

  1. Foster multi-stakeholder forums for dialogue among the public sector, the private sector, and civil society, including women’s and youth organizations and social actors, to strengthen democratic practices, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, anticorruption, and open government efforts, including:

    • c. Open, free, informed, and prior consultations with indigenous communities, leaders, and authorities, as appropriate and in accordance with domestic legislation, especially in the development, planning, follow-up, and assessment of policies that affect their way of life; (Inter-American Action Plan on Democratic Governance, IX Summit of the Americas, Los Angeles, 2022).

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  1. Recognizing the positive contributions of indigenous peoples and their traditional values and principles, and the contributions of Afrodescendent communities to improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of public administration and raising awareness in favor of the fight against corruption. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)

  1. Taking note of the recommendations of the Civil Society and Social Actors Forum, the Youth Forum of the Americas, the Forum of Indigenous Peoples, the ParlAmericas Open Parliament Network, and the Americas Business Dialogue. (Lima Commitment. Peru, 2018)

  1. We reaffirm our commitment to respect indigenous people’s rights and we commit to successfully concluding negotiations on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The full exercise of these rights is essential for the existence, welfare, and integral development of indigenous peoples and for their full participation in national activities. For this reason, we must create the necessary conditions to facilitate their access to decent work and living conditions that allow them to overcome social exclusion and inequality, and poverty (Declaration of Mar del Plata, 2005).

  1. To promote an ongoing, respectful, and constructive dialogue with indigenous peoples and develop policies to create the necessary conditions to facilitate their integral and sustainable development, access to decent work, and living conditions, enabling them to overcome poverty with full respect of their rights.(Plan of Action Mar del Plata, 2005).

  1. To intensify negotiations for the quick adoption of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensure the continuity and transparency of their effective participation in the ongoing dialogue at the OAS.(Plan of Action Mar del Plata, 2005).

  1. With respect to the rights of indigenous peoples, we recognize the substantive progress achieved in the negotiations launched in the framework of the Organization of American States on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with effective participation of representatives of these indigenous peoples. We reiterate our political will and support for the successful conclusion of the negotiations and prompt approval of the Declaration, whose objective is to promote and protect their human rights and fundamental freedoms (Declaration of Nuevo León, 2004).

  1. We will work to ensure that the input from the Indigenous Conclave of the Americas, held in Guatemala, and the Indigenous Peoples Summit of the Americas, held in Ottawa, is reflected in the implementation of the Summit of the Americas Declaration and Plan of Action. We support efforts towards early and successful conclusion of negotiations on the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which will promote and protect their human rights and fundamental freedoms (Declaration of Québec, 2001).

  1. Advance negotiations within the OAS on the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with a view toward its earliest possible conclusion and adoption; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Recognizing that the unique cultures, histories and demographic, socio economic and political circumstances of indigenous peoples (as the term is explained in the section of this Plan of Action entitled “Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”) in the Americas necessitate special measures to assist them in reaching their full human potential, and that their inclusion throughout our societies and institutions is a valuable element in the continuous strengthening, not only of human rights in our hemispheric community, but also, more broadly, of our democracies, economies and civilizations; noting that although progress has been made, it is necessary to strengthen participation of indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations, to promote an open and continuous dialogue between them and governments, and to continue to work together to ensure effective implementation of the relevant mandates in the Santiago Summit Plan of Action:(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Make their best efforts, in accordance with national legislation, to encourage donor agencies, the private sector, other governments, regional and international organizations as well as MDBs to support hemispheric and national conferences in order to exchange experiences among indigenous peoples and their organizations in implementing activities to promote their sustainable cultural, economic and social development, and in such other areas as may be identified by indigenous peoples;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Acknowledge the value that the world views, uses, customs and traditions of indigenous peoples can make to policies and programs related to the management of lands and natural resources, sustainable development and biodiversity; on this basis, develop corresponding strategies and methods to consider and respect indigenous peoples' cultural practices and protect their traditional knowledge in accordance with the principles and objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Increase the availability and accessibility of educational services in consultation with indigenous peoples, especially women, children and youth, in accordance with their values, customs, traditions and organizational structures, by promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in education and training programs for indigenous communities; promote national and regional strategies for indigenous women, children and youth; similarly, encourage international exchange programs and public and private sector internships in order to promote equal opportunity, raise the average school leaving age, maximize individual and collective achievement, and promote lifelong learning for all indigenous people; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Promote and accommodate, as appropriate, the particular cultural, linguistic and developmental needs of indigenous peoples, in urban and rural contexts, into the development and implementation of educational initiatives and strategies, with special attention to building institutional capacity, connectivity and linkages, including through national focal points, with other indigenous peoples of the Hemisphere; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Promote and enhance, in all sectors of society, and especially in the area of education, the understanding of the contribution made by indigenous peoples in shaping the national identity of the countries in which they live;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Develop strategies, measures, and mechanisms aimed at ensuring the effective participation of indigenous peoples in the design, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive health plans, policies, systems and programs that recognize the value of developing holistic communities that take into consideration cultural, economic and social realities and circumstances;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Support the Health of Indigenous Peoples Initiative, promoted by PAHO, in assisting states and in consultation with indigenous peoples, to formulate integrated public policies and health systems that foster the health of indigenous peoples, in designing and implementing inter cultural frameworks and models of care specifically aimed at addressing the health needs and priorities of these peoples, and in improving information collection, analysis and dissemination on the health and social conditions of these peoples, with particular emphasis on children; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Reduce the digital, communications and information gaps between the national average and indigenous peoples and communities, through relevant connectivity and communications programs and projects that provide services in the fields of political, economic and social development, including the use of indigenous peoples information networks; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Promote the collection and publication of national statistics to generate information on the ethnic composition and socio economic characteristics of indigenous populations in order to define and evaluate the most appropriate policies to address needs; (Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. Support the process of reform of the Inter American Indian Institute, based on extensive consultations among states and indigenous peoples of the Hemisphere, and further develop processes to ensure broad and full participation of indigenous peoples throughout the inter American system, including in the discussions on the Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;(Plan of Action Québec, 2001).

  1. In accord with national legal frameworks, implement measures, where necessary, to protect rights accorded to indigenous populations, as well as information programs, if needed, to assure greater awareness of indigenous populations of their rights, in this respect.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. Support activities in the field of education aimed at improving the participation of indigenous populations and communities in society. Such activities would seek to strengthen the identity of indigenous populations and promote respectful coexistence among different social groups in communities and States.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. Promote the widening of basic and secondary education services with training orientation, mainly in Regions with high percentages of indigenous populations, through greater support from Governments and international cooperation, at the request of interested Governments, so that indigenous and non-indigenous populations have the opportunity to receive technical training and contribute to the development of their countries. To the extent possible, the training areas which are implemented parallel to educational processes should respond to the needs of the Region and to productive strategies.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. In cooperation with regional organizations, development institutions and NGOs, actively support and promote capacity building activities and productive projects, including agriculture, handicrafts, small trade and industry and marketing. To the extent possible, these should be guided and administered by indigenous populations.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. Facilitate the organization of round-tables at the national and hemispheric level, in partnership with indigenous populations, with a view to promoting greater understanding of and cooperation in the areas of education and health, with a particular emphasis on women and children. Governments will also promote research initiatives on the relationship between indigenous population, poverty and development.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. Proceed with inter-governmental examination within the Organization of American States (OAS) framework of the "Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" prepared by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, with a view toward the possible adoption of a Declaration.(Plan of Action Santiago, 1998).

  1. In observance of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, we will focus our energies on improving the exercise of democratic rights and the access to social services by indigenous people and their communities (Declaration of Principles Miami, 1994).

 

 

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