CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

11th  Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development

Organization of Inter-active Ministerial Roundtables

Tuesday 29th April- 3.00-6.00 p.m

Health and Sustainable Development

Indigenous Peoples Caucus Contribution

Lucy Mulenkei, Indigenous information Network

Talking Points.

There can be no sustainable development without addressing human and environmental health. The wide spread proliferation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other toxic in the atmosphere, water, soil and ecosystem present a critical threat to Indigenous Peoples. There is need therefore for CSD to focus on the reduction of health risks from environmental pollution.

Indigenous Peoples are specially concern on mining activities in Indigenous Peoples lands. These activities do not only destroy and degrade the environment but also affect the health of Indigenous Peoples, livestock, their vegetation in their farms, and poisons their waters and damages the marine ecosystem. We do support strongly the efforts to address Environmental Impact assessment before any activities are undertaken.

There has to be a prior informed consent and we call for governments and industry to ensure comprehensive and participatory multi-citric assessment of mining activities, which incorporate environmental, social, cultural, and health impact assessment. It is also important Mr. Chairman that, CSD ensure that Governments establish laws, rules and constitutional provisions that prohibit the confiscation of Indigenous peoples lands for mining activities. Indigenous Peoples lands and territories should not be included in the planning zones of mining.

 Mr. Chairman, HIV/AIDS has become one of the worst diseases of our times. It has cleared people in the world that any body would ever have thought. Indigenous Peoples have been worst hit. They are worst hit because they have been marginalized in awareness creation, lack of financial support. They have been excluded in any planning and implementation of activities to eradicate poverty. We know that poverty and HIV/AIDS are very much related and should be seen as one. When tackling one issue, the other should be included. Indigenous Peoples must be fully involved. We can only fight HIV/AIDS by working together with financial institutions by becoming partners. Partners that would provide guidance and financial support for our out health project, programmes and initiatives.

The utilization and protection of our traditional healing systems within our communities must be given due and equitable recognition. The vital role played by Indigenous Women as bearers of traditional knowledge is very important and we are committed to provide high priority to health protection of our women, children and youth giving particular attention to prevention measure, health education, access to basic and primary heath, research and information. It is important for CSD to action as we clearly that international institutions and governments participate in the construction of a plural model of public health, which validates out traditional knowledge, innovations and practices.