On Tuesday, 23 July, the Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre, member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Eskender Bariiev, as well as a lawyer of the CTRC Liudmyla Korotkikh took part in a meeting with leaders of indigenous peoples of the world, initiators of the Global Network for the Development of Indigenous Peoples’ Peacebulding.
During the meeting the following issues were discussed:
– the outcome document of the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) mentions several aspects of the First Declaration on the Construction of Indigenous Peoples, which was adopted on 12 April 2024. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has appointed an expert committee of 3-4 members to study indigenous conflicts and territories, and another committee of 3-4 members to study peace and reconciliation commissions that deal with indigenous territories where wars and conflicts are taking place. This is a great achievement after the 1st Global Summit in Washington;
– two meetings have been held since the Summit with the UN Department for the Development of Peace (UNDPPA), which is endeavouring to include indigenous mediation in its ongoing work;
– on the importance of peacebuilding statements by indigenous leaders at the recently concluded UN Expert Mechanism (EMRIP) on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, held in Geneva;
– there are already countries supporting the ideas of the Global Summit on Indigenous Peace Development during the UN General Assembly in September 2024, as well as at the Summit of the Future;
– established a closed ‘Online Community of Practice Portal’ at the United States Institute of Peace, which will be accessed by 120 indigenous peacebuilders who have joined the 1st Global Summit;
– Began developing an indigenous peace development curriculum that will benefit practitioners, policymakers and people on the ground. Work has begun with Gandhi King Global Academy as well as American universities and other universities to find opportunities to create a course on this issue.
As a reminder, the First Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding was held on 11-12 April 2024 in Washington DC. The US Institute of Peace brought together 80 indigenous leaders from around the world at the event to discuss the challenges faced every day in different parts of the world.