New York. July 10, 2017. (FIMI-IIWF). From 10 to 19 July 2017, the United Nations High Level Political on Sustainable Development (HLPF), will take place in New York with the aim of monitoring the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The theme of the session will be 'Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world.'

Accordingly, the International Indigenous Women's Forum wishes to emphasize the particular importance of the empowerment of indigenous women, youth and children as well as the mainstreaming of gender equality. In addition to this, from FIMI-IIWF should be promoted the access to quality education and health, with cultural relevance, capacity building, knowledge transmission and leadership strengthening. At the same time, our land rights, territory and resources should be also be protected, as well as recognizing and preserving our knowledge, particularly in terms of food security, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, community welfare, cultural and linguistic revitalization, intellectual protection of our knowledge and a world free of violence against indigenous girls, young people and women. To achieve poverty eradication, it is a priority to recognize the contribution of indigenous women and young people for family, local and national economies and to promote opportunities for vocational training and economic initiatives for women and indigenous youth.

To ensure an efficient and informed participation of women and young people in the implementation and follow-up of the Agenda 2030, it is essential to prioritize the actions that promote their individual and collective empowerment and invest in inclusive education, the formulation of leadership, economic autonomy and the generation of capacities in the use of the Agenda.

At the same time, the international framework favours "not leaving anyone behind" and the measures taken at the national level are essential for the reality of the 2030 Development Agenda. It requires a true recognition of the leadership role of indigenous women in transformation processes and as key actors in decisions concerning our social, economic, political and cultural empowerment to achieve a dignified life for future generations.

Finally, we hope that next year at the High Level Political Forum, all actors can present significant progress and results regarding an inclusive, equitable and participatory sustainable development, with relevance and ethnic-cultural sensitivity, in which women, youth and indigenous children are recognized as true subjects of law and actors of change.

About FIMI

The International Indigenous Women´s Forum - FIMI - is a network of women indigenous leaders articulated networks of local, national and regional organizations from Asia, Africa, Arctic, Pacific and the Americas. FIMI brings together indigenous women leaders and activists of the human rights of different parts of the world to agree on agendas, build capabilities, and develop leadership.

Press release based on inputs provided by Chirapaq, Center of Indigenous Cultures of Peru.