Leave No One Behind - SDGs and Indigenous Peoples

We are at the tipping point in the way
humankind inhabits the earth.

Depending on what we do next

this could be good news or bad

If we don't work together
to fight threats to

our existence such as climate change,

If we don't opt to end hunger,
poverty or change the ways we share and

nurture our planet, if we don't care
about how we treat each other

or about equality and sustainability,

then our lives and communities
may well be in jeopardy

We urgently need to protect nature in its
resources for future generations.

As the first step, in 2000 world leaders
ratified the Millennium Development Goals

or the MDGs, created to help focus on
tackling some of the world's most

acute problems.

By 2015, we had made significant progress
in areas, such as

gender parity in primary education,

reduction in child mortality,

access to piped drinking water.

However, indigenous peoples were left

behind, and much remains to be done if we

are to uplift those still in poverty,

marginalized, and discriminated, and

achieve sustainable development for all.

In 2015, the successor to the MDGs was

agreed following a global consultation

with over a hundred and fifty world

leaders, and with major civil groups

including indigenous people under the

umbrella of the world we want.

The result is the sustainable
development goals, also referred to

as the 2030 agenda or the SDGs.

This ambitious set of goals is
a guide and framework for what we

collectively must achieve over the next
15 years to bring about

a fair and sustainable world.

The SDGs are comprehensive
in their objectives and scope.

They include all nations rich and poor

and promote partnership,

collaboration, and participation of all
citizens.

The 2030 agenda commits to
leave no one behind,

particularly, the poorest and the most
marginalized of our communities.

The 2030 agenda comprises of
17 ambitious goals,

promoting sustainability, empowerment,

equity, and respect for human rights.

Let's look at each of the goals.

No poverty; zero hunger; good health and

well-being; quality education; gender

equality; clean water and sanitation;

affordable and clean energy; decent work

and economic growth; industry innovation

and infrastructure; reduced inequalities;

sustainable cities and communities;

responsible consumption and production;

climate action; life below water; life on

land, peace, justice, and strong

institutions; partnerships for the goals.

These are the sustainable development

goals, but there are cautions too for our

indigenous societies. The goals of

economic development in

industrialization must be managed

carefully to avoid violation of

indigenous land rights and ensure

equitable use of resources.

Currently, countries are creating new

national development plans with the

commitment to inclusion and

participation.

As indigenous peoples, we
must engage in these national

discussions and decisions.

This is a
unique opportunity for indigenous

peoples to confirm our place in the

future of the planet. and not to be
left behind.

Who are we?

There are more than 370 million
indigenous peoples throughout the world.

We manage many different ecosystems and
traditional occupations.

Where can you find us?
Plains, grasslands, and tundra, oceans

deserts, forests, mountains.

The SDGs are relevant and
applicable to the world's

indigenous peoples directly, and as a

contributor to their success.

They create a framework that
will guide governments,

private sector, and civil society to

create a better world, and mutually
beneficial relationships

with and for indigenous peoples.

We as indigenous peoples have been
conserving our resources sustainably

for centuries, not only for our survival,
but also as part of

our identities, culture, and well-being

of humanity and the planet.

This must continue to be protected,
ensuring that indigenous peoples

and our ways of life

form a core element of our common future.

What do we, as indigenous peoples require

in order to take part in meaningful ways?

Education, capacity building, partnerships

with governments based on the respect

for our rights and trusted partners,

a place at the negotiating tables at

national, regional, and global levels.

This aggregation of data based on

ethnicity without properly collecting and

filtering data, indigenous peoples could

be misrepresented or simply remain
invisible.

Indigenous peoples need to be

part of reporting and review processes

from national to global platforms.

Already, initiatives are being put into

place to address this, such as the

indigenous navigator, which monitors the

level of recognition and implementation

of their rights.

The SDGs already have
shoulders to stand on in the form of the

United Nations declaration on the rights

of indigenous peoples and other UN
instruments.

These should be fully integrated
into the SDGs implementation,

particularly, involving indigenous

peoples land rights and cultural
integrity.

What do we, as indigenous peoples,
have to offer?

Indigenous knowledge and innovations,
sustainable food production and

food security, knowledge and values

for sustainable living,

cultural diversity,

conflict prevention,

conservation of forests,

natural resources and biodiversity,

medicines,

handicrafts.

What is the world that we want?

We want dignity

and nondiscrimination.

The education period is very important
to indigenous people.

Access to indigenous education,

recognizing the contributions of

indigenous peoples in sustainable
development.

Good health and well-being.

It is really the essence of being
connected to your lands,

languages, your culture.

Holding the destruction of our
habitat and territories.

Empowerment of and respect for the
rights of indigenous women, youth,

and indigenous persons with disabilities.

The whole sustainable development goal

should be focused that no one will be

left behind, and is also that nothing

about us without us.

We, as indigenous peoples, have so much

to give to the future diversity and

security of the planet.

The SDGs will not achieve their aims

without the effective participation

and inclusion of indigenous peoples.

Find out more on
what you can do by visiting our website