Indigenous and tribal peoples

The ILO has been engaged with indigenous and tribal peoples’ issues since the 1920s. It is responsible for the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the only international treaty open for ratification that deals exclusively with the rights of these peoples. The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, with gender equality and non-discrimination as a cross-cutting concern, serves as a framework for indigenous and tribal peoples’ empowerment. Access to decent work enables indigenous women and men to harness their potential as change agents in poverty reduction, sustainable development and climate change action.

© T.Lee

International Labour Standards regarding indigenous and tribal peoples

ILO's Convention No.169 is based on respect for the cultures and ways of life of indigenous and tribal peoples. It aims at overcoming discriminatory practices affecting these peoples and enabling them to participate in decision-making that affects their lives.

Achieving the SDGs: Indigenous and tribal peoples as agents of change

Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their overall ambition of “leaving no one behind” will require specific attention to the rights, aspirations, and participation of indigenous women and men. Decent Work can enable indigenous and tribal peoples to play their part in achieving the 17 goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030.

Report

Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: From Victims to Change Agents through Decent Work

This report emphasizes the importance of the decent work agenda, including the ILO Convention No. 169 and Guidelines for a just transition, for empowering indigenous women and men, and ensuring that they can emerge as partners for achieving sustainable development and strong climate action.
Report

The Rights of indigenous peoples in Asia

This report seeks to draw a realistic picture of major trends and challenges, and identifies important new opportunities in the framework of the new global agendas on sustainable development and climate action, which call for specific attention regarding the rights and concerns of indigenous peoples.

More publications

Indigenous peoples constitute about 5 per cent of the world’s population, or nearly 370 million people spread across over 70 countries.
While only about 5 per cent of the world’s population, indigenous peoples account for nearly 15 per cent of the world’s poor.
Indigenous peoples care for an estimated 22 per cent of the Earth’s surface and protect nearly 80 per cent of remaining biodiversity on the planet.
There is no universal definition of indigenous and tribal peoples, but ILO Convention No.169 provides a set of criteria for identifying them in a given country.
Indigenous and tribal peoples are found in all regions of the world, from the Arctic to the tropical forests.