Kalahui Hawaii: Representatives Address PFII
Below is a joint statement issued by the Intervention of the Indigenous World Association, Na Koa Ikaika o ka Lahui Hawaii, Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club, Ilioulaokalani Coalition, Ka Lahui Hawaii, and Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, on behalf of UNPO members in Kalahui Hawaii, to the Sixth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held from 14-25 May 2007 in New York.
Joint Statement by:
Intervention of the Indigenous World Association, Na Ko Ikaika o ka Lahui
United Nations Headquarters
17 May, 2007
Recommendations
1. The UNPFII adopt the recommendations in the report of the Special Rapporteur on Oil Palm and other Commercial Tree Plantations, Monocropping: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples' Land Tenure and Resource Management Systems and Livelihoods
(C/C.19/2007/CRP.6- 7 May 2007).
2. The UNPFII conduct a study on best practices of Indigenous Peoples, States and NGOs relating to the sustainable management of lands, territories, and resources.
Justification
Recommendation #1
We congratulate and thank the chair for her excellent report entitled Oil Palm and other Commercial Tree Plantations, Monocropping: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples' Land Tenure and Resource Management Systems and Livelihoods (C/C. 19/2007/CRP.6- 7 May 2007) We strongly support recommendations in paragraphs 67 and 68 calling for the establishment of a special body under the auspices of the Forum to monitor how policies relevant to indigenous peoples and lands, territories, and resources are being implemented by private sector, governments, and intergovernmental bodies and to investigate complaints raised by indigenous peoples on logging and plantation operations taking place in indigenous territories.
We request that the Forum experts and the Special Rapporteurs specifically include and make reference to the impact of the EU Biofuels Directive (2003) and the U.S. policy relating to bioethanol as set forth in the State of the Nation address of President Bush (Feb 2006).
Recommendation #2
We are also recommending that the Forum authorize and undertake a study on Best Practices of Indigenous Peoples, States and NGOs relating to the sustainable use and management of lands, territories, and resources.
As we seek solutions to the issue of sustainable economic development we need to inform ourselves of creative initiatives being pursued by indigenous peoples and States that are providing models and practices which work. In the Pacific, in
Thank you Madame Chair.