Takeaways: IIPWG July 2025
Items excerpted from the July 2025 Investors & Indigenous Peoples Working Group (IIPWG) Newsletter. IIPWG strategy calls take place the third Thursday of the month. Learn more.
Presentation: Indigenous Peoples' Declaration on Certification, Validation, and Verification Bodies
During a global convening in Indonesia, 32 Indigenous leaders from 13 countries developed a declaration calling for reforms to global certification schemes. On the July IIPWG call, Prabin Shakya (Convenor, Asia Indigenous People’s Network on Extractive Industries and Energy) and Robie Halip (Executive Director, Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples) discussed takeaways for investors.
The declaration highlights key auditing gaps, which include auditors’ lack of expertise on Indigenous Peoples, violation of Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and auditors’ lack of independence. Shakya underscored how certification schemes must “respect Indigenous sovereignty, land tenure security, and FPIC in all decisions.”
Halip emphasized the value of transparent corporate disclosures, but cautioned that reports are not enough and recommended investors conduct due diligence to ensure validity of certifications and audits. Shakya also shared, “we would like to see certification schemes that are centered on Indigenous-led frameworks, ensuring that any process affecting our lands and livelihoods are accountable to us.”
Investors may watch the webinar, Strengthening Respect for Indigenous Peoples Rights in Certification and Audit Schemes (part 1, part 2), and read the press statement and declaration (available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, French, Kmer, and Spanish). A presentation recording is available upon request.
Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin Publish Declaration Ahead of COP30
Indigenous Peoples representing the nine countries that comprise the Amazon Basin, alongside leaders from all biomes in Brazil, released a declaration affirming their priorities for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). The conference will be held November 10-21 in Brazil.
Among six distinct priorities, the declaration urges the adoption of no-go zones for extraction activities in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. While recommendations focus on public policy reform, the declaration signifies to investors the broad lack of consent for extractive activities to occur on Indigenous Peoples’ territories across South America.
Indigenous leaders are calling on stakeholders, including investors and financial institutions, to amplify the COP30 priorities. Allied investors may support by referencing the declaration in policies related to human rights, due diligence, ESG, and screening criteria for companies and projects in the Amazon region.
IIPWG Canada Takeaways
On the July IIPWG Canada call, several guest speakers shared investor-relevant items. Addenda Capital discussed its Keewaywin Fund I, which will invest in “scalable, community-led housing projects driven by and for Indigenous communities.” The Shareholder Association for Research & Education (SHARE) discussed Canadian bills impacting Indigenous Peoples, including the Federal Bill C-5, Ontario’s Bill 5, and British Columbia’s Bills 14 & 15. Follow-up presentations on both of these items will be provided on the September IIPWG Canada call.
Additionally, the Ontario Securities Commission shared its Draft Action Plan for Truth and Reconciliation, which is open for comment until October 31, 2025, and SHARE highlighted its Investor Guidance on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion amidst the Turmoil.
A recording is available upon request. The next IIPWG Canada meeting will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, September 3, at 1:00 pm ET; register here.