30 JANUARY 2024 | The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) opened its doors to UNSR Ms. Irene Khan for an open and honest dialogue about the UNSR’s thematic areas on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las together with all the key officers of NCIP convened with UNSR Khan providing her an overview of the agency’s notable accomplishments, challenges encountered, and priority programs that aids to further protect and promote the well-being of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
During the dialogue, UNSR Khan mentioned that for NCIP to be more effective and to achieve a more meaningful Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC), it should be more open to views and opinions from other concerned stakeholders and it should promote inclusion among all the ICCs/IPs, listening to their voices and offering ways on how to address concerns. UNSR Khan also underscored the importance of International cooperation in promoting Indigenous Peoples rights, as well as the use of various media platforms in reaching out to partners.
To cap the engagement, Chairperson Sibug-Las provided UNSR Khan with an IP necklace as a token of appreciation. Moreover, NCIP held a press conference to further disseminate the outputs of the dialogue.
