Rome - Ecuador joins the Coalition

Exactly one year ago, in October 2022, a delegation of Indigenous Youth gathered in the Boassu Food Lab at FAO headquarters in Rome, where they launched the first ever global Coalition on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems, led by Indigenous Peoples.

It was to be led by Indigenous Peoples, and bring together the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Indigenous Peoples’ leaders, UN Agencies and - until Wednesday - nine FAO Members to advance on the respect, preservation and promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems.

One year has passed, and this week Indigenous Youth again gathered at FAO headquarters, this time in the framework of the UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF), where Ecuador became the 10^th country to join the Coalition on Wednesday the 18^th of October 2023. Sitting around the fire at the hearth of the Nomad Indigenous FoodLab, H.E. Eduardo Izaguirre Marín, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Ecuador, delivered the letter of adhesion to the Coalition to H.E. Miguel García Winder, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mexico to the FAO, WFP and IFAD.

The objectives of the Coalition were reiterated: the preservation and strengthening of Indigenous Peoples’ food systems and their recognition as the key to inform the transformation of food systems. But the Coalition must go beyond talk, and also see its Members’ promises reflected in national policy making for Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Peoples have the solutions to sustainability, but they can’t make the change alone

Among the topics discussed, Indigenous Peoples highlighted that food regulations are hindering their use of their traditional foods, which they have been healthily consuming for thousands of years. Banning Indigenous Peoples’ practices can and is having knock on effects for the sustainability of the whole world’s food systems.

In discussing needs, Indigenous Youth made it clear that they are not seeking to simply cry out for help: they are already acting as guardians and protectors of the planet, proven by the fact that 80% of the entire planet’s biodiversity exists in Indigenous Peoples’ territories.

The message was simple: Indigenous Youth want to be allies in the Coalition. They requested that more governments follow the example of Ecuador and join forces with the Coalition, where there is so much potential for huge progress to be made for the benefit of the whole planet.

Indigenous Youth call was heard: Panama joined the Coalition too

A day after the Coalition on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems welcomed its 10^th Member, Ecuador, it expanded even further. Indeed, on Thursday the 19^th of October, Panama joined the Coalition too. Duncan Tomás Jurado, Panama’s Representative, underlined that it is a priority for the country to listen to Indigenous Peoples and to work side by side with them.

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