The Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York jointly hosted an international seminar on indigenous issues this morning (April 20th). This collaboration coincided with the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, under the theme "Indigenous Peoples, Human Health, Planetary and Territorial Health and Climate Change." Yapasuyongʉ•Poiconʉ, Director of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, served as the keynote speaker, delving into the discussion on “how Taiwan balances indigenous rights to promote climate change mitigation and transition to net-zero.”
This seminar presents the first physical collaboration between the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York since the onset of the pandemic. In his keynote speech, Director Yapasuyongʉ provided insights from the perspective of indigenous rights, highlighting Taiwan's climate change and net-zero transition policies in alignment with the "Indigenous Peoples Basic Law" and the "Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples." He underscored the policy of "Logging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples" as a means to safeguard indigenous land justice. Moreover, he delved into Taiwan's initiatives in renewable energy and concluded by highlighting the establishment of mechanisms for consultation, co-management, and benefit-sharing in indigenous regions, outlining concrete actions that balance energy transition and indigenous rights.
The Council of Indigenous Peoples has been actively involved in and has supported the participation of indigenous individuals and groups from Taiwan since the establishment of the forum, bringing back valuable experiences in the international development of indigenous rights to Taiwan. Even before the passage of the "Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," Taiwan had incorporated its legislative spirit and provisions into the "Indigenous Peoples Basic Law" enacted in 2005, showcasing Taiwan's strong emphasis on indigenous rights and status. This underscores Taiwan's position as a paradigmatic country in the global protection of indigenous rights.