Guyana reaffirms commitment to indigenous people’s land rights, livelihoods

Guyana has declared its unwavering commitment to indigenous people’s land rights – which provides an abundance of resources that are an essential source for their livelihoods and traditional customs.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai made these remarks at UNESCO’s Culture-Nature: Joint Programme of Works on Links between Biological and Cultural Diversity, on the sidelines of the 23rd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held in New York on Monday.

The Government of Guyana has taken proactive measures to prevent the marginalisation of indigenous peoples’ rights.

One of the most significant steps is the establishment of a ministry that is solely dedicated to representing indigenous peoples. This ministry works closely with the National Toshaos Council, which is a recognised representative body of indigenous peoples, towards promoting the sustainability of natural resources, enhancing livelihood opportunities, and improving the overall well-being of indigenous peoples.

Moreover, the government also employs the land tenure system to safeguard the land rights of indigenous peoples. This system helps to protect the land, territories, and resources of indigenous peoples from encroachment, enabling them to maintain control over their ancestral lands.

“Guyana is home to more than 200 indigenous communities and nine nations. Their deep connection to the land passed down through generations, is a testament to the current state of our country’s forest where Guyana has the 2nd largest forest cover in the world, 86% of our land mass…All villages have legal ownership of their lands that is absolute and forever. The government continues to address land extension for indigenous Villages,” Minister Sukhai informed in her contributions.

Additionally, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), established through the constitution, works closely with the indigenous people through the NTC, Village Councils and groups such as the Kunuku Mountains Community Representative Groups, ensuring resources are managed and utilised sustainably.

Moreover, Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS2030) sets out the blueprint for how to fight against climate change, including mitigation and adaptation.

Minister Sukhai said this strategy has been expanded within the tenets of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), having received the approval of the NTC.

 “We must empower indigenous peoples to play a leading role in conservation efforts, respecting their rights to land, self-governance, and cultural autonomy. By doing so, we can leverage their traditional knowledge to develop innovative solutions to the environmental challenges we face today,” she further underlined.

The minister urged that biodiversity conservation must not be pursued at the expense of indigenous peoples’ rights, but must be a holistic approach that promotes social justice, equity and inclusively.

“This means upholding the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and recognizing indigenous peoples as equal partners in conservation initiatives…the preservation of biodiversity and indigenous culture is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for the well-being of the present and future generations of our common home,” she underscored.

The Joint Programme of Work on the Links between Biological and Cultural Diversity (JPoW) is a coordination mechanism that supports the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and raises global awareness of the linkages between cultural and biological diversity.

It is overseen jointly by UNESCO, the CBD, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It currently emphasizes the importance of Indigenous participation, recognition of their customary laws, and their role in conservation efforts.