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