Indigenous Peoples, who rely heavily on natural resources, face heightened vulnerability to mercury pollution. Mercury contaminates fish and other subsistence foods, causing serious health risks and threatening traditional practices and cultural heritage. Limited access to healthcare and environmental monitoring worsens these impacts. Addressing mercury pollution requires solutions that involve Indigenous Peoples, respect cultural traditions, and uphold their right to a healthy environment.

A stronger engagement

 

The Minamata Convention is working towards a stonger engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. At COP-5 (2023), Parties emphasized the need to broaden their participation in projects and programs, recognizing their essential role in reducing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

This builds on commitments made at COP-4 (2022), where Parties were encouraged to involve Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities in national action plans on ASGM. The Secretariat was also asked to gather their views and priorities and to raise awareness about how mercury pollution connects with biodiversity and climate change. These efforts aim to make the Convention’s work more inclusive and responsive to those most affected.

 

 

Get involved

 

The Indigenous Peoples Platform of the Minamata Convention on Mercury aims to facilitate the engagement of Indigenous Peoples in Convention processes. It serves as an open and inclusive space to share perspectives and promote their full and effective participation in the Convention.

2026

International Indian Treaty Council
9 February 2026 | Washington, D.C., United States of America 

The International Indian Treaty Council shares the recent announcement by the United States' Indian Health Service (IHS) that it will end the use of mercury‑containing dental amalgam in its facilities by 2027, fully transitioning to mercury‑free restorative materials across IHS and tribal dental programmes. More information here.

2025

Community Impact Forum 
17 July 2025 (Afternoon) | Palais des Nations, Geneva 

Indigenous leaders shared powerful testimonies on how mercury contamination affects their communities and traditions. 

Capacity-Building Training for Indigenous Fellows
7 July 2025 | Palais des Nations, Geneva

In partnership with the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program, this three-hour session equipped 40 fellows with knowledge on mercury’s health, cultural, and environmental impacts, particularly in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

First Exchange of Amazonian Indigenous Peoples on Illegal Gold Mining and Mercury Contamination
July 2–4, 2025  | Amacayacu National Natural Park, Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia

This historic gathering brought together Indigenous representatives from Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru to address the growing threat of mercury contamination from illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Organized by the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development (FCDS), the Amazon Alliance for the Reduction of Gold Mining Impacts (AAMI), and the Observatory of Illegal Mining and Linked Activities in Key Biodiversity Areas (OMI), with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the event marked a critical step toward collaborative solutions to protect health, ecosystems, and cultural heritage in the Amazon.

The meeting report and the statement resulting from the exchange can be accessed at:

 

Meet the expert
 

Richard Gutierrez, Programme Management Officer and Indigenous Peoples and local communities focal point of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact him at richard.gutierrez [at] un.org.