The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is an occasion to reaffirm and highlight the United Nations’ steadfast commitment to protecting and promoting their collective rights.

Indigenous Peoples have made significant contributions to humanity. As vital guardians of the land, they have played a crucial role in preserving the environment and ensuring the planet’s sustainability.

In particular, the 115 Indigenous Peoples of Colombia have made vital contributions to peacebuilding.

However, it is equally important to acknowledge that they have also been victims of violence.

Conflict has been present in many Indigenous territories, exposing their communities to the harsh realities and consequences of violence.

We are convinced that overcoming this situation requires the full implementation of the commitments set out in the Ethnic Chapter of the 2016 Peace Agreement.

First and foremost, the Ethnic Chapter is crucial for protecting and preserving the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples. It also provides concrete avenues for their participation in decision-making and in the development of public policies on matters that directly affect them. 

For this reason, we believe that sustained efforts to advance the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter are essential. In this spirit, the United Nations will continue working tirelessly with Indigenous organisations, as well as territorial and national authorities, to strengthen its implementation under the Peace Agreement.

— Raúl Rosende, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Colombia and Acting Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia