Joint Nordic Statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Erik Laursen,
Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations
at the 3rd Informal Consultation of the UNOC3 Political Declaration
24 February, 2025

Dear Co-Facilitators, Distinguished Delegates,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country, Denmark.

First, we extend our sincere gratitude to Cabo Verde and Australia for their hard work as co-facilitators and for presenting a zero draft that recognized the special relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the ocean, as well as the rights of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and in international human rights law.

Indigenous Peoples have safeguarded marine ecosystems for generations, drawing upon Indigenous Peoples Knowledge and sustainable practices. For many Indigenous Peoples, the ocean is not just a resource—it is central to their cultural identity, food security, and livelihoods. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ rights is not only a matter of justice; it strengthens ocean governance by ensuring the inclusion of voices with deep-rooted expertise in marine stewardship. Their practices often align with conservation goals, making them indispensable partners in protecting biodiversity, combating climate change, and restoring ocean health.

Furthermore, recognizing and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples under international law is important. It acknowledges historical injustices and promotes self-determination. The global community cannot afford to overlook these rights.

It is therefore disappointing that in the revised text, language has been introduced that unduly links Indigenous Peoples with local communities. This linkage risks diluting the distinct collective rights of Indigenous Peoples under international law and undermining hard-won progress in securing their recognition. While we acknowledge the relevance of local communities in this context, conflating them with Indigenous Peoples is not helpful.

In this regard, we would like to reiterate the recommendation of the Permanent Forum from 2022: Indigenous Peoples have been a distinct constituency at the United Nations since 1977 and, with the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the General Assembly in 2007, their inherent rights were affirmed as the international minimum standard. The Permanent Forum reiterates the position of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, namely that it is unacceptable to undermine the status and standing of Indigenous Peoples by combining or equating them with non-indigenous entities such as minorities, vulnerable groups or local communities. Such attempts, whether by States or United Nations entities, are not acceptable and will be challenged by Indigenous Peoples and those mandated to defend their rights. The Permanent Forum urges all United Nations entities and States parties to treaties concerning the environment, biodiversity and the climate to eliminate the use of the term “local communities” in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, so that the term “Indigenous Peoples and local communities” would be abolished.

We urge all delegations to uphold the integrity of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the UNOC3 political declaration. We do not seek to remove references to local communities, but we must ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights remain distinct and fully recognized. 

As always, the Nordic countries remain solution-oriented, flexible and open to exploring different formulations or approaches. However, it is critical to underline that the distinction between Indigenous Peoples and local communities is not a matter of semantics—it is a matter of international legal principle, self-determination, and respect.

The Nordic countries remain committed to strengthening and accelerating efforts to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. We call on all partners to work together to ensure that the final declaration reflects this commitment. Indigenous Peoples’ voices must not be sidelined—on the contrary, they must be at the forefront of shaping our shared future for the ocean.

Thank you.