KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has emphasized the need for meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in state decision-making, saying sustainable peace, social harmony, and national unity are essential for strengthening Nepal’s integrity.
Addressing a program organized by the Indigenous Peoples Commission on the occasion of the 32nd International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, President Paudel said Nepal is a country characterized by multiethnic, multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural diversity.
He said the unique identity and culture of Indigenous peoples who have lived in the country since ancient times are a source of national pride. “Indigenous peoples are the sons and daughters of this land, with an inseparable and spiritual connection to water, land, and natural resources,” he said.
President Paudel stressed that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in policymaking and decision-making processes. Referring to recent statistics, he noted that Indigenous representation at the local level has reached an encouraging 36.8 percent. He added that expanding access to education remains an urgent national priority.
He further said Nepal has played a leading role in promoting Indigenous rights internationally and was the first country in South Asia to ratify ILO Convention No. 169. “We are fully committed to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Convention on Biological Diversity, both of which recognize the rights and cultural autonomy of Indigenous communities,” he said.
President Paudel further said the Constitution established the Indigenous Peoples Commission after the advent of the federal democratic republic to protect and promote the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples.
He also expressed confidence that the commission would continue to play an even more effective role in preserving Indigenous languages, cultures, and historical heritage while empowering Indigenous communities.
Stating that a prosperous Nepal is not possible without the development of the Terai-Madhes and the protection of the rights and justice of Indigenous communities living there, he said past conflicts and grievances must be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional processes.
“Sustainable peace, mutual harmony, and unity among all social communities strengthen national integrity,” he said. “We must never forget that the rights and entitlements of all castes, ethnic groups, and marginalized communities can be fully ensured only in a democratic system.”
The President also emphasized the need to transform the traditional knowledge, skills, and technologies of Indigenous peoples into commercially viable opportunities and to strengthen their economic empowerment. He suggested promoting tourism linked to Indigenous culture through initiatives such as open-air living museums and other community-based cultural tourism models.
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