Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, Canada, and my own country, New Zealand. We thank the Expert Mechanism for their report.

We support the work of the Mechanism to provide the Council with thematic expertise on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and commend their contribution towards creating and sustaining better outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.

We support Indigenous Peoples in their call to establish a unique category for their participation in the UN system. We welcome the planned four day workshop later this year to discuss possible ways to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council. We must also ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, including those with intersecting identities: Indigenous women, Indigenous persons with disabilities, and Indigenous LGBTQI+ Persons in procedures and processes of the United Nations that affect them.

It is imperative that States guarantee a safe living and working environment, security and due protection to indigenous human rights defenders and indigenous leaders, without any discrimination.

We further condemn the recent acts of intimidation that occurred during the 15th session of the Expert Mechanism. We call on the aggressors to cease intimidation and reprisals, and all States to adopt appropriate measures to protect Indigenous Peoples from threats, intimidation, harassment and attacks.

We call on all States to [engage in the work of the Mechanism in order to promote, protect and fulfil the rights of Indigenous Peoples and we particularly support the call upon states to] take appropriate gender-sensitive measures to promote the political, social and economic empowerment of Indigenous women and girls.

We offer our unwavering support for the Mechanism's contribution to ending discrimination and exclusion, and reducing the inequalities and vulnerabilities so that we can truly live up to our commitment, through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to leave no one behind.

Mr President, how can States and Indigenous Peoples continue to develop best practice mechanisms for consultation and collaboration?

Thank you, Mr President.