Indigenous Nations Demand Greater Decision-Making Power at United Nations Forum

GENEVA — Indigenous leaders and advocates gathered in Geneva last week to demand a greater voice in international decision-making at the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP). The delegation asserted that current structural barriers at the U.N. prevent Indigenous nations from participating with the same authority as member states, often reducing their status to that of non-governmental organisations. Kym Hamilton, representing the National Iwi Chairs Forum which encompasses 87 tribes in Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighted the urgent need for Indigenous perspectives in climate policy. Speaking at the forum, Hamilton emphasised that Indigenous peoples prioritised land and ecosystem health over short-term economic gains. She noted a responsibility to protect descendants by balancing immediate financial interests with long-term environmental safeguards. The call for "enhanced participation" includes specific recommendations for the U.N. Human Rights Council. Hamilton proposed a clear timeline for creating a participatory status for Indigenous institutions and the appointment of Indigenous and state representatives with equal standing. A key demand is the establishment of an independent accreditation mechanism to ensure Indigenous communities can choose their own representatives without state interference. These demands for representation are echoed by Sámi leaders from the Arctic, where warming occurs four times faster than the global average. Tuomas Aslak Juuso, vice president of the Sámi Parliament of Finland, stated that the survival of reindeer-based livelihoods and Sámi culture is at stake due to climate-driven food shortages. Juuso noted that without direct participation in global discussions, Indigenous nations struggle to secure the resources needed for climate adaptation. The advocates argue that formal inclusion at the U.N. is essential for the survival of their cultures in the face of mounting global crises.