Platform for Indigenous Peoples and for local communities

The Indigenous Peoples Platform of the Minamata Convention on Mercury aims to bring together Indigenous voices to promote the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Minamata Convention to put an end to mercury pollution.

In November 2023, the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) noted at its first decision the importance of broadening the participation of Indigenous Peoples, as well as local communities, in the implementation of projects and programmes undertaken under the Minamata Convention, recalling the relevance of their engagement in the work to reduce and eliminate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

Indigenous Peoples, heavily dependent on natural resources, face heightened vulnerability to mercury pollution. It inflicts irreversible harm on humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. ASGM, the leading human-induced source of global mercury pollution, releases hundreds of tonnes annually into Indigenous territories, causing widespread environmental devastation and jeopardizing the survival of Indigenous communities.

In March 2022, COP-4 called upon parties to engage Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of national action plans to tackle the use of mercury in ASGM. COP-4 also requested the secretariat to compile views on the needs and priorities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities with regard to the use of mercury in ASGM (see decision MC-4/4).

COP-4 also requested the secretariat to continue to raise awareness and gather knowledge on the interlinkages between mercury pollution, biodiversity and climate change and tasked with the development of a report on how the Minamata Convention can contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework, which is expected to be adopted at the Biodiversity COP-15 to be held in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022 (see decision MC-4/12).

ASGM is the single biggest source of emissions and releases of mercury into the environment. Mercury used in ASGM directly impacts the health, livelihoods and culture of Indigenous Peoples who are engaged in the mining or who live near ASGM sites.

Even Indigenous Peoples who live far away from ASGM sites are also disproportionately impacted by mercury pollution due to their intertwined connection with nature and a diet that relies mostly on fish and other aquatic animals known to accumulate high levels of mercury.

The Indigenous Peoples Platform of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is being created to facilitate the engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the above-mentioned processes and other relevant work of the Minamata Convention. The Platform is meant as an open and inclusive space to bring together the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and to promote the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Minamata Convention.

Get involved

Please contact the mea-minamatasecretariat [at] un.org (Minamata Convention secretariat) to find out more on how to:

Provide input for the development of a survey to assess the needs and priorities of Indigenous Peoples with regard to the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
Contribute to the development of a document on monitoring mercury on and around artisanal gold mining sites.
Provide input to a report on the socio-economic impacts of mercury pollution on fisheries and how Indigenous Peoples are affected.
Become an observer to the Minamata COP and be part of the global community fighting against mercury pollution.

News

Meeting of Indigenous organizations in Latin America in preparation for the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury

Indigenous organizations in Latin America will gather in Brasilia on 4 October in preparation for the upcoming COP-5 to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The meeting will support coordination among Indigenous organizations, particularly in matters related to the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and facilitate sharing of experiences for strengthening engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the implementation of the Convention. The meeting will be hosted by the Government of Brazil and financial support for the participation of Indigenous organizations came from Australia, Norway and Sweden.

The socio-economic impacts of mercury pollution on fisheries and livelihoods

The new study, subtitled "Exploring how a natural capital approach may support the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury", highlights the urgent need for action at all levels. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of mercury on fish populations, as well as the often overlooked social, environmental and economic costs associated with mercury pollution.

Indigenous Peoples and the Minamata Convention: a shared commitment to end mercury pollution

On the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention takes the opportunity to share its contribution to ensuring that Indigenous Peoples around the world can enjoy an environment free of mercury pollution.

Technical advisors working with Indigenous organizations from Arctic & Amazon participated in the Open-ended Scientific Group meeting to ensure that concerns related to #IndigenousPeoples & #mercury #pollution are taken into account for the effectiveness of #MinamataConvention. pic.twitter.com/ul8bq3GzUQ
— Minamata Convention on Mercury (@minamataMEA) March 31, 2023

COP participation

Participation of Indigenous Peoples at COP-5 of the Minamata Convention

Message from the Indigenous Peoples and local communities of Latin America to COP-5 (English | Portuguese | Spanish)

Participation of indigenous peoples at COP-4 of the Minamata Convention

Watch below a video showcasing their attendance at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-4) in Bali, Indonesia.