Indigenous Peoples in Coastal and Marine Environments: challenges and opportunities (UNPFII Side Event).

Side event of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues entitled "Indigenous Peoples in Coastal and Marine Environments: challenges and opportunities".

Indigenous Peoples inhabit coastal and marine environments across every major continent except Antarctica, with an estimated 27 million Indigenous Peoples from 87 countries relying on these areas for cultural identity, economic activities, food security, and overall well-being. Despite their critical role in managing coastal and marine ecosystems, they remain underrepresented in global discussions on the blue economy, climate finance, and marine policy. The World Bank, through its Platform to Strengthen Participation of Indigenous Peoples in Nature and Climate Finance, aims to enhance Indigenous Peoples' engagement, rights, and participation in climate and nature finance. While significant efforts have been made to recognize Indigenous Peoples' contributions to terrestrial ecosystems, there is limited documented knowledge and evidence of their role and priorities in coastal and marine environments.To close this knowledge gap, the World Bank prepared regional profiles led by Indigenous researchers from the Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific to identify Indigenous Peoples in coastal and marine environments, and to understand their locations, challenges, and priorities.

II. Objectives

This side event aims to:

1. Present the preliminary results of the regional profiles on Indigenous Peoples in coastal and marine environments, highlighting their key challenges, priorities, and best practices.
2. Facilitate a dialogue among Indigenous Peoples' leaders, multilateral organizations, policymakers, and researchers on the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' roles in the blue economy.
3. Identify actions and opportunities for strengthening the rights, resilience, and participation of Indigenous Peoples in coastal and marine environments in the blue economy.

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