Anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

There are more than 370 million self-identified indigenous people in some 70 countries around the world. Worldwide, they account for 5 percent of the population but represent 15 percent of those living in poverty.

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 September 2007. It marked an important milestone in the recognition of dignity, well-being and rights of the world’s indigenous peoples. It established minimum international human rights standards, such as self-determination, the right to land, territories and resources and to free, prior and informed consent.

For over 30 years, IFAD has supported programmes and projects that benefit indigenous peoples. In 2006, the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) moved from its former home at the World Bank to IFAD. It is an innovative financial mechanism that builds partnerships among indigenous peoples’ communities and enables them to design, approve and implement projects through grass-roots organizations. The mechanism provides grants of up to US$50,000. So far, 126 projects in 48 countries have been funded through IPAF.

IPAF serves as a listening and learning instrument and has proven to be useful in identifying indigenous peoples’ needs and supporting their proposed solutions and innovations. The IPAF fosters indigenous peoples’ self-driven development within the framework of the UNDRIP. Free, prior and informed consent is required for the implementation of each project.

The vast majority of IPAF initiatives have a holistic perspective and address issues which are comprehensive and social-ecologically inclusive. Projects promoting livelihood opportunities, economic growth and food security also endeavor to protect biodiversity, natural resources, traditional cultures and indigenous rights and aim to allow inclusion in society and participation in decision-making processes.

IFAD’s support to indigenous peoples is reflected in the Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples. It focuses on protecting their rights and the right to live according to their cultural values while involving them in fully participatory processes that include their free, prior and informed consent.

Original source: IFAD
Published on 13 September 2018