Dec 26, 2015
Indigenous Peoples & ForestsExpert Group Meeting 12 January 2011
Jan McAlpineDirectorUnited Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat
Enabling sustainable forests & communities• SFM requires full valuation of
forests, including environmental services, spiritual & cultural aspects of forests;
• At the same time, the cultural, spiritual, & economic importance of forests for Indigenous communities is undeniable;
• The fate of forests & Indigenous Peoples are directly linked.
Indigenous voices in forest policy – a long history• (1992) Agenda 21 recognised critical
role of stakeholder major groups including Indigenous Peoples in sustainable development;
• (mid 1990s) Indigenous groups a strong voice in IPF intersessional meetings & workshops;
• (2000 – present) Indigenous Peoples actively contribute to UNFF policy negotiations & Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues
Indigenous Peoples & Forests – key issues• Critical role of Indigenous Peoples in
SFM recognized repeatedly in forest policy debate – including:– Respecting customary &
traditional rights of Indigenous Peoples
– Protecting rights & privileges related to Traditional Forest-Related Knowledge (TFRK) & forest biological resources
Indigenous Peoples & the Forest Instrument• The Forest Instrument
(adopted in 2007) • Strong links between forests
& people:• TFRK & practices;• Access & Benefit sharing;• enabling environments for
Indigenous community;
Indigenous Peoples & UNFF9
UNFF9 - an opportunity to attract political attention to:
• Forest links to poverty eradication & human well being
• High-Level Segment• Improving Forest governance• Interaction between PFII & UNFF
UNFF9: Forests for PeopleUNFF9 (24 January -4 February 2011)
Theme: Forests for people, livelihoods & poverty eradication: Community-based forest
management Social development &
indigenous & other local & forest dependent communities, including forest land tenure
Social & cultural aspects
IP & International Year of Forests (2011)The IYF will provide a platform to:• Showcase unique stories of forest
dependent local and indigenous communities
• Raise the profile of forest issues & increase awareness of the multiple values and benefits of forests
Thank You!
UN Forum on Forests SecretariatOne UN Plaza, DC1-1245New York, NY 10017Telephone: +1 212 963 3401Fax: +1 917 367 3186http://www.un.org/esa/forests