Policies and strategies related to Indigenous Peoples

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IWGIA has collected a list of international institutions, United Nations agencies and governments' policies and strategies on indigenous peoples

• The World Bank (WB) -  In 2005 the WB approved a revised policy on Indigenous Peoples. The updated policy, as reflected in the Revised Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples (OP) and the Revised Bank Procedure on Indigenous Peoples (OB). OP/BP 4.10 applies to all investment projects for which a Project Concept Review took place on or after July 1, 2005.

• European Union (EU) - In 1998 the EU adopted the 'Council Resolution on Indigenous Peoples within the Framework of the Development Cooperation of the Community and Members States', which provides the main guidelines for support to indigenous peoples.

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) - ADB's Policy on Indigenous Peoples was adopted in 1998. See also ADB's Operations Manual from 2003 describing ADB policy and procedures in addressing indigenous peoples issues in ADB projects.

• The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) - In 2003, ACHPR adopted the report entitled "Report of the African Commission's Working Group of Experts on Indigenous Populations/Communities" published in 2005. This report includes an analysis of criteria for identifying indigenous peoples in Africa and an analysis of their human rights situation. The report is used as a conceptual framework by the African Commission in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in Africa.

• Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) - IADB's policy on indigenous peoples is entitled 'Strategy for Indigenous Development'.

• United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - UNDP's policy on indigenous peoples is entitled "UNDP and Indigenous Peoples: A Practice Note on Engagement".

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Of relevance to indigenous peoples is the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001. It also contains main lines of an Action Plan for the implementation of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.

• The World Conservation Union (IUCN) - IUCN's policy agenda for indigenous peoples and conservation is very broad and the Unit's work is guided by the resolutions of the World Conservation Congress (WCC). Policy development in these areas is guided by specific international agreements, IGO's and UN agencies. In particular, the Unit's work in these areas is guided by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Read more about IUCN's and indigenous peoples here.

Below we have made links to two governments' policies on indigenous peoples. Other governments, such as the German and Canadian, also have policies on indigenous peoples. You can find the list of Foreign Ministries all over the world by clicking here.

• Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) - In 1994 DANIDA formulated it's first strategy on Indigenous Peoples. In 2000-2001 it was reviewed by a team of indigenous experts, and in 2004 a revised version of the Strategy for Danish Support to Indigenous Peoples was adopted. This strategy aims at integrating the concern for indigenous peoples at all levels of Denmark's foreign policy and development cooperation, and raise indigenous issues through policy dialogue with partner countries. In 2011, the Danish Foreign Ministry published a Review of the Strategy for Danish Support to Indigenous Peoples 2001 -2010.  
  
  In Mid-2007, the Danish Government made public a new discussion paper on priorities for the Danish cooperation with Africa 2007-2011 (AFRIKA PÅ VEJ Debatoplæg om regeringens prioriteter for samarbejdet med Afrika i perioden 2007 til 2011- in Danish only). IWGIA has submitted a set of comments to this discusison paper, urging the Danish government to put promotion and protection of indigenous peoples' rights high on the agenda in its cooperation with Africa the coming years. Read IWGIA's comments (also in Danish only) here .

• The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) - NORAD's policy on indigenous peoples is entitled 'Guidelines for Norway's Efforts to Strengthen Support for Indigenous Peoples in Development Cooperation'.