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UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Twenty-fifth session 

Item 5 (g): Thematic dialogue on the financing of Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation across the multilateral and regional system

Intervention by the Delegation of Ukraine

April 27, 2026

Madame Chair,
Distinguished colleagues,

Our delegation reiterates Ukraine’s strong commitment to the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. This commitment is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine and further reinforced by the landmark decision of our Parliament in 2014 endorsing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

For Ukraine, meaningful participation of indigenous peoples in the work of international organizations is not merely a procedural issue, but a matter of ensuring legitimacy.

In this regard, we strive for full consistency of our state policy with ongoing efforts within the UN to advance this objective.

In 2021, Ukraine has adopted the Law “On Indigenous Peoples,” which guarantees the enjoyment of rights and freedoms for indigenous peoples and provides concrete mechanisms to enable participation.

In particular, the law allows representatives of indigenous peoples to be included in national delegations to international organizations and negotiations, while also enabling their independent participation in international fora, where rules permit.

Earlier this month, the implementation of this legislation reached an important new milestone when our government formally recognized the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people as its representative body.

This step creates a solid institutional basis for meaningful consultation and partnership between the State and the indigenous Crimean Tatar people in shaping public policy.

Distinguished colleagues,

For Ukraine, all these efforts have a direct and urgent implication as the indigenous Crimean Tatar people, under the temporary occupation of Crimea by Russia, are still deprived of the ability to fully exercise their rights, including meaningful participation at national and international levels.

Supporting their engagement and ensuring that their voices are heard in international fora remains a matter of principle for Ukraine, for our government and will continue to be a top priority of our state policy, both until and after the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and full de-occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol from the Russian Federation.

I thank you for your attention.