Today, we are proud to launch our new website, a necessary update of our digital presence that also marks a significant step in our ongoing process of reflection and rethinking within the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). This new digital face is more than just a redesign—it represents our commitment to adapting and evolving in response to the changing geopolitical landscape.
As I reflect on the journey of UNPO, I am reminded of the turbulent times that have shaped both our mission and the world around us. Despite these challenges, our core values of self-determination, non-violence, and mutual respect among peoples have remained steadfast. This letter is not just a reflection on our past; it is a call to action for the future—a future that demands transformation, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to the principles that have always guided us.
We invite you to explore our new website, engage with us, and join us in our mission to build a more just and peaceful world.
To Our Global Community,
Today, we are launching our new website. This is more than just a necessary update of our digital presence—though that was certainly needed. This new digital face represents a significant step in our ongoing process of reflection and rethinking within the organization.
As I reflect on the journey of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), we are reminded of the turbulent geopolitical landscape that has shaped both our mission and the world around us. Our core values—self-determination, non-violence, and mutual respect among peoples—have remained steadfast, even as we have evolved in how we uphold these principles. This letter is not merely a reflection on our past but a call to action for the future—a future that demands transformation, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to our shared values.
Founded in 1991, the UNPO emerged from the urgent need to provide a platform for unrepresented nations and peoples excluded from conventional decision-making spaces. In our early years, we achieved significant successes: supporting Estonia’s peaceful re-independence after the Soviet Union’s collapse, aiding Timor-Leste in its struggle against Indonesian occupation, and advocating for the Ogoni people in Nigeria against environmental degradation and human rights abuses. We played a critical role in Bougainville’s peace process, suppored Taiwan’s democratic aspirations, mediated conflicts involving the Naga and Chittagong Hill Tracts, and helped elevate the cases of Tibet and the Uyghurs internationally among many other key successes for current and past UNPO members. Our efforts also contributed to the creation of the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples. These achievements were possible due to a geopolitical environment that supported the rise of multilateralism, democratic expansion, and a global consensus on human rights.
However, the world has changed. The past few decades have seen a troubling erosion of the principles that once seemed unassailable. The rise of autocratic regimes, the spread of violence and hate speech, and the alienation and silencing of voices are alarming trends. The growing distrust in institutions, the erosion of democracies, and the concentration of power and wealth have deformed the multilateral system. These are the results of decisions—intentional or not—driven by self-interest rather than genuine representation of peoples.
As a result, global human rights, including the rights of unrepresented peoples, are paying a steep price. Democracies are being manipulated, and non-violence can no longer be taken for granted. The right to self-determination, enshrined in Article 1 of the United Nations Charter, has been misused, sometimes serving as a tool for division and neo-colonial practices rather than a means of peaceful empowerment.
In the face of these challenges, UNPO remains committed to the values embraced by our founding members: the right of all peoples to peacefully decide their own destinies, the pursuit of peace among nations, and the belief in multilateralism and mutual respect. These values are the bedrock of our mission. Our principles remain clear and unwavering: the equal right of all peoples to self-determination and representation, the promotion of non-violence and the rejection of terrorism and violence as instruments of policy, adherence to internationally accepted human rights standards, the principles of democratic pluralism and rejection of intolerance, and the protection of the natural environment with a focus on climate change adaptation.
The current geopolitical situation demands that we pause and rethink our approach, that we explain better who we are, who our members are, what we do, and why we do it. This moment of honest introspection, while not easy, is crucial and necessary. It is a source of strength, guiding us to renew and enhance our internal structures and our programmes to better address the evolving challenges of our time. It is a source of inspiration to become a more effective agent for change. We must rethink how we operate, engage, and advocate for the rights of those we represent.
Our new Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 is a key step in this journey, designed to find new answers to the complex geopolitical challenges of our time. This strategy reflects our commitment to adapt and evolve in response to a shifting global landscape. But this plan will only succeed with the collective commitment of our members, partners, and supporters—those who share our vision of a world where the voices of all peoples are heard and respected.
As we embark on this new chapter, I extend our deepest gratitude to those who have brought us to where we are today. We owe an immense debt of thanks and admiration to our founders—Linnart Mäll, Erkin Alptekin, and Lodi Gyari —whose vision and courage, with the guidance of Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag, laid the foundation for UNPO. I am equally grateful to all our current and former members, who have continuously inspired our work. To the dedicated UNPO staff members, past and present, thank you for your unwavering commitment and hard work.
Our heartfelt thank you to our donors and advisory board members too, whose support and guidance have been invaluable. A special note of appreciation goes to Michael van Walt van Praag, who has returned as an advisor to guide us through this period of transformation, and to Prof. Fiona McConnell, whose contributions continue to shape our path forward.
We look to the future with creativity and without fear, ready to explore new concepts, ideas, and partnerships. Building a better future is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to leading this effort with a renewed strategy that addresses the main geopolitical challenges facing peoples and nations worldwide. As we reimagine the concept of self-determination, we are prepared to explore its meanings and potential applications in today’s complex world, always with the goal of fostering peace and justice.
To our member nations and peoples: we invite you to join us actively in this renewed mission. To our partners: we ask for your continued support as we navigate these challenging times. To key international actors: we encourage you to engage with us in meaningful dialogue to build joint solutions. And to other organizations: we extend a hand of collaboration to work together towards our common goals. Let’s combine our efforts and commitment to innovation, championing the rights of nations and peoples as we work tirelessly to create a more just and peaceful world.
This is what our new website represents—a gateway to a renewed UNPO, one that is ready to face the future with the same resolve that has guided us since our founding. We invite you to explore it, engage with us, and join us in this essential journey.
Sincerely yours,
Mercè Monje Cano
UNPO Secretary General
