Recognizing and honoring the rights of Indigenous Peoples is essential to reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and enhance rural livelihoods. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is an expression of the fundamental right of Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination that allows them to give, withhold, or withdraw their consent for a project that may impact them or their territories. Additionally, that consent should arrive without intimidation or coercion, through processes defined by the affected Indigenous Peoples. FPIC is a well-established principle in international law, articulated in the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  However, Indigenous leaders have been critical of the lack of implementation and enforcement of FPIC. A first step for many countries would be to ensure that there are legal mechanisms to enable enforcement. Currently we are unable to identify a global data source assessing FPIC implementation. 

Recognizing and honoring the rights of Indigenous Peoples is essential to reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and enhance rural livelihoods. Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is an expression of the fundamental right of Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination that allows them to give, withhold, or withdraw their consent for a project that may impact them or their territories. Additionally, that consent should arrive without intimidation or coercion, through processes defined by the affected Indigenous Peoples. FPIC is a well-established principle in international law, articulated in the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  However, Indigenous leaders have been critical of the lack of implementation and enforcement of FPIC. A first step for many countries would be to ensure that there are legal mechanisms to enable enforcement. Currently we are unable to identify a global data source assessing FPIC implementation.