By Abbas Nazil
The world’s indigenous communities’ rights to water management and other related issues were at the forefront of the global dialogue organized by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held in New York recently.
The dialogue, co-hosted by UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together diverse voices from Indigenous communities across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, emphasizing the critical role Indigenous Peoples play in water governance, climate action, and sustainable development.
The event was chaired by Tania Martinez Cruz of the Global Environment Facility, and it drew active participation from leading UN agencies including UN-Water, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The dialogue forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure meaningful Indigenous participation in the UN Water Action Decade (2018–2028), a global initiative aimed at accelerating water-related goals and targets.
The dialogue opened with remarks from Leonor Zalabata Torres, Colombia’s Ambassador to the UN and an Arhuaco Indigenous leader.
She underscored the spiritual and practical importance of water to Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, drawing connections to their historic and ongoing role as stewards of natural resources.
Her words echoed the themes of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Cali, Colombia, which focused on Indigenous leadership in conservation.
Speakers emphasized that Indigenous Peoples possess unique knowledge systems that are vital to addressing today’s global water challenges.
Nigel Crawhall, Chief of the Indigenous and Local Knowledge Section at UNESCO, pointed out the strong interlinkages between human rights, Indigenous knowledge, local languages, and the governance of freshwater systems.
These perspectives, he noted, must be integrated into formal water governance structures for truly sustainable and equitable outcomes.
From the African continent, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, representing UNPFII, offered insights into how nomadic communities relate to water not only as a lifeline but also as a potential source of conflict in the face of scarcity.
She called for inclusive water governance approaches that prevent conflict and promote peace, rooted in Indigenous traditions of coexistence and stewardship.
Ana Paula Lavalle Arroyo of Mexico’s UN Mission outlined her country’s approach to safeguarding Indigenous water rights through constitutional protections and mechanisms like Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
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She emphasized the value of integrating Indigenous perspectives in national water policies.
Gam Shimray of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) elaborated on the collective management of water by Indigenous communities in Asia, drawing links between water governance, biodiversity preservation, food security, and broader sustainability objectives.
His contribution reinforced the interconnectedness of Indigenous ecological practices with global sustainability goals.
Highlighting research and innovation, Onkemetse Maruping-Kgari of the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) presented findings on the dual impacts of climate change and extractive industries on Indigenous water systems.
He announced the launch of a publication that documents sustainable water governance practices by Indigenous communities across Africa.
Echoing the spiritual dimensions of water, Mona Polacca from the Indigenous Environmental Network spoke of the sacred relationship many Indigenous cultures maintain with water.
She advocated for Indigenous leadership roles in major international water forums, including the World Water Forum, stressing that Indigenous custodianship must be acknowledged and empowered.
From the development perspective, Terence Hay-Edie of UNDP highlighted efforts to support Indigenous-led ecosystem conservation, including mechanisms like Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), which offer financial incentives to communities for preserving water sources and biodiversity.
UNCCD’s Marcos Monteiro drew attention to the strong correlation between water, soil, and ecosystem health, commending the increased representation of Indigenous Peoples at UNCCD COP16.
Donna Lagdemeo from the UNFCCC Secretariat reiterated the growing recognition of water within the global climate agenda.
She cited the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action and the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action as significant milestones, demonstrating a convergence around water and Indigenous leadership.
Concluding the event, Naiara Chaves of UN-Water and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs announced that the United Arab Emirates and Senegal will lead the process toward hosting a global water conference in December 2026.
The upcoming conference is seen as a crucial opportunity to institutionalize Indigenous water wisdom in international water policy frameworks.
The dialogue served not only as a platform for knowledge exchange but as a call to action for the global community.
It reinforced the urgent need to recognize indigenous peoples as vital custodians of water resources and to embed their knowledge and leadership into global water and climate governance systems.
