Abstract:

There are approximately 38 million Indigenous people living in 12 OECD member countries1 . Indigenous peoples make an important contribution to the culture, heritage and economic development of these member countries. They are significant owners and users of land and resources. Their traditional knowledge is rooted in kinship with strong connections to land and nature, emphasising its stewardship. Indigenous peoples are taking action to improve natural resources management, develop innovations in food production and harvesting, and own competitive businesses in areas such as mining, tourism, and arts and creative industries. Beyond these many achievements and contributions, they make a significant contribution to the world’s cultural and linguistic diversity. Indigenous peoples are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).